The Royal Ambassador program here at First Baptist Church is a vital, Bible-centered, church-related, mission education program for boys in the first through sixth grades, sponsored by the Baptist Men's Brotherhood. Leaders from First Baptist are also working to revitalize the RA program at the association level, through joint efforts with the Yates Baptist Association.

Where did we get the name "Royal Ambassadors"? 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 describes the purpose of Royal Ambassadors. While the RA motto is found in verse 20, the other verses sum up Paul's declaration of why we need to be ambassadors for Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5

The RA Motto, "We are Ambassadors for Christ," not only gives the organization its name, but also gives the boys and leaders a lifestyle goal. The Royal Ambassador program reaches boys for Christ and leads them to become Ambassadors for Christ through the following components.

• Chapter Meetings
  A Chapter Meeting is when a group of RAs and their leaders meet: To encourage boys to live out their RA pledge commitment and to personally challenge a boy to do his best to fulfill that commitment. The meeting also involves following a meeting plan for using resources that reinforce the pledge.
• Personal Growth The personal growth system is an age-level progression of activities and strategies in a workbook format. The plan is to complete the assignments given in each level. When the assignments are completed, achievement awards are given to symbolize the work completed. Each grade level has its own resources to use that are age-appropriate and lead to the next level. Each book focuses on the principles of the RA Pledge and uses specific virtues supporting each part of the pledge to develop positive, biblical character in boys.
• On-Mission Projects
  Through on-mission projects, RAs and their leaders help communicate Jesus and His love to people.
• Interest Activities
  Royal Ambassadors incorporate fun into the learning process. Interest activities help make RAs fun. Interest activities include games, play, drama, crafts, camping, fishing, sports, hiking, trips, and hobbies.
• Meaningful Relationships
  The best gift an RA leader can give is his time, his love, and his guidance. Loving each boy for who he is and guiding him where he needs to be is the task of the RA leader. Loving him involves: praying for him daily; listening; sharing encouragement; letting him do it, too; giving clear directions; showing him how; being a real friend; and sharing God's love.

GA's

GAs is a missions organization for girls in first through sixth grades. Each GA member is encouraged to do her best to live a missions lifestyle that honors God by:

• Learning about missions
• Praying for missions
• Giving to missions
• Doing missions
• And participating in the work of the church

Curriculum provides for weekly meetings and additional special events throughout the year. Additional helps such as games, activities and pictures are coordinated with the curriculum. The gifts of Girls in Action are numerous as a girl grows, as she begins to take leadership roles, as she sees that God has a plan for her life.