| Royal Rangers and Light for the Lost: Partners in the Kingdom
by Waketa Williams, National LFTL Councilmen Secretary
Royal Rangers and Light for the Lost enjoy a long-standing and productive working relationship. RR and LFTL have worked together on several projects with the purpose of reaching the youth of the United States and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In 1993 Royal Rangers and Light for the Lost began a joint effort to give Royal Rangers boys greater exposure to missions by developing the LFTL Junior Councilmen program. To become a Junior Councilman, a Royal Ranger must first earn his LFTL Merit. As a Junior Councilman he is involved in the effort to help missionaries win the lost. Also, he receives a Junior Councilmen pin to proudly wear on his uniform and a subscription to the Spotlight.
In 1995 Royal Rangers and Light for the Lost created the Royal Ranger Book of Hope, a selection of scriptures designed for inner-city boys, dealing with such subjects as drug and alcohol abuse, AIDS, abstinence, fear, death, the Bible, and salvation.
Also in 1995, Royal Rangers and Light for the Lost joined forces to raise funds for the comic book Edward Elephant Says (EES.) EES is an AIDS-awareness comic book that teaches:
- What to do if you have AIDS.
- How to prevent AIDS infection.
- How to find Christ as your Savior.
Millions of copies of EES have been distributed to school-age children in most African countries. EES has also gone around the world as EES and in a slightly altered version known as Danny Dolphin Says ( DDS.) Danny Dolphin was created for distribution first to the Philippines, then to other Asia-Pacific countries.
In 1998 Royal Rangers and Light for the Lost began a fundraising effort to create and distribute The Last Best Thing, John's Gospel printed in the Contemporary English Version, to the youth of the United States. The Last Best Thing includes articles addressing anger and rage, death, fear, spiritual freedom, and the plan of salvation.
In 2001 Light for the Lost partnered with Royal Rangers of Kenya by providing funds to re-create the Royal Ranger curriculum for the boys of Kenya and East Africa.
In a recent Kenyan government census, it was determined that there are approximately 17 million Kenyans under the age of 15. This is an unprecedented opportunity for evangelism in Africa. One form of evangelistic outreach is through providing Royal Rangers and Missionettes ministries.
During the start of field-testing the materials, Rangers programs have exploded in each church studied. This has been followed with incredible responses from men who, as RR commanders, are leading boys to Jesus Christ in extraordinary numbers!
Launching this ministry required the development of African-based, culturally-sensitive ministry materials, six books that include necessary Ranger evangelism materials. Men of professional writing experience, skilled in developing Royal Ranger materials, were invited to Kenya to consult with and write together with knowledgeable, African national counterparts who were familiar with the unique cultural needs of East Africa.
In 2002 Royal Rangers and Light for the Lost joined together to print a Commemorative New Testament for the 2002 National Royal Ranger Camporama. This Contemporary English Version of the New Testament was given as a keepsake to every boy attending the 2002 National Camporama. It contains special features including Seven Promises for Boys, Do You Know Jesus?, and the Royal Ranger Motto, Emblem and Pledge.
Until Jesus comes, Royal Rangers and Light for the Lost commit to a continuing partnership to bring the light of Jesus Christ to our world! |
