Here is the first, from Jason Kurz:
The Value of Royal Rangers to Me
By Jason Kurz
What started as a vision from God has become a worldwide organization
designed to reach, teach, and keep boys for Jesus Christ. This organization
is known as Royal Rangers and it trains boys to become young men who fear
God. The Ranger Ministry has changed thousands of boys� lives and I am
proud to say I am one of them. Under the guidance of my commanders, I have
become a young man devoted to serving God and have grown socially, mentally,
physically and spiritually.
My commanders have taught me to love everyone and to do to them as I would
have them do to me (Matthew 7:12). It is not always easy to love those that
do not love you, but neither is it easy to follow God. My experiences in
Royal Rangers have developed in me social skills to help me relate to and
interact with others. As a result of the input of the Ranger Commanders, I
am able to get along well with those that are different from me. I am able
to show younger, more impressionable boys what I have learned and help them
develop the social characteristics that they will need to further the
Kingdom of God.
Since first starting Royal Rangers at age five, I have slowly started to
think like a young man. I have put away childish actions and have become
more mature mentally. Royal Rangers has taught me to think like an adult
and maintain a more positive and mature attitude. I have learned to cope
mentally with the world�s tests so they will not overwhelm me and affect my
walk with God.
Besides maturing mentally, I have also matured physically. Royal
Rangers uses outdoor activities to teach boys about Christ. I have been
taught skills that will remain with me throughout my life and am also able
to apply these skills in my daily routine. They range from learning how to
set up a campsite properly and safely to how to lash a Chippewa kitchen.
These many physical activities have helped keep me healthy and in good
physical condition. Rangers has challenged me to become physically stronger
through all the strenuous activities that I have encountered while camping,
canoeing, hiking, etc. As I have grown older, I have been able to take on
any physical tasks that a commander may assign me while camping. Without
this aspect of Royal Rangers, I would not be the same person I am today. I
would be incomplete. Yet, this is not the most essential item in becoming a
young man.
The most important part of Royal Rangers is how it leads boys into a
deeper relationship with Christ. Royal Rangers has taught me to set aside
what the world has to offer and receive what God has for me. I have
discovered it is possible to have fun while still maintaining a relationship
with Christ. Through the years I have encountered many trials and
tribulations but Royal Rangers has not only shown me that God is always
there to help me in times of need but also has brought me closer to Him. I
have to seek God even when not in need and this has helped to deepen my walk
with Him. It is my spiritual life that has held me together through the
first half of my teen years. I know the second half will be even better.
Royal Rangers is the tool that God has used to mold me into the
image of his Son. I am not perfect, but through this program I have come
many steps closer to God. Through the training and wisdom given to me by
Rangers, I will now be prepared to take on whatever God has in store for me
in the future.
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