SEDALIA – Hailing from 44 churches across Missouri, 400 boys flocked to the 2015 RA Congress at the Missouri State Fairgrounds here, April 17-18.
Daniel Goombi was the highlight of this year’s congress. The Goombis serve as Missions Service Corps (MSC) missionaries through the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Self-funded MSC missionaries receive no financial support through NAMB or NAMB-generated partnerships as salary or to cover personal expenses. During an RA-led interview, Goombi shared how his family helps to meet needs of Native Americans in Kansas. Boys heard an evangelistic message from Goombi, as well as a challenge to live a missional lifestyle.
The RA Congress worship rally opened with prayer and pledges led by the First Baptist Church of Paris RA chapter. Boys read definitions of the 10 RA virtues, which RAs study throughout the year. A18, the Worship Team from the Crossroads Baptist Association, led in music during both worship rallies.
The fairgrounds was a busy place on Saturday as boys took part in events such as archery, rifles, campcraft, soccer kick, baseball throw and other activities. Boys who scored highest in each event received first, second and third place ribbons. Dane Headrick, First Baptist Church, Troy, received the first place trophy for the most points overall. Christopher Seaver, Russellville Baptist Church, received the second place trophy, and Grant Case, Victor Baptist Church, Anutt, received the third place trophy. The RA chapter from Victor Baptist Church, Anutt, earned the most average points and were awarded the large traveling trophy. They will be invited to open RA Congress 2016 with the pledges and prayer.
Boys enjoyed participating in the competitive events, but more importantly they enjoyed spending time with friends, leaders, and parents or grandparents.
“RA Congress is as good of an outreach program as the MBC has to offer,” one pastor said. “You have non-church kids that bring a dad and see them work and play together in a Christian environment and visit with other Christian men”
In an email, one parent shared, “Thanks again for a truly blessed, never-forget-it-ever weekend of learning and growing and sharing and trying new things and practicing fun things all in the name of Jesus with fellow Christian men and boys. It was my first “men/boys event,” and I was so overjoyed and deeply touched and blessed to get to go with our little man! I’m going to spread the word! Just such a great weekend! We’re going to be talking about it forever!”
Plans are being made for the 2016 RA Congress. Any first through sixth grade boys may attend, even if they are not a part of Royal Ambassadors. This event will be calendared on the third weekend of April each year, as long as volunteers are available. RA Congress could not take place without many volunteers. If you would like to be part of this ministry to boys in our state, contact Teri Broeker at tbroeker@marktwain.net.
