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Reach Unchurched Youth Through ScoutingBy Larry Coppock* Five years ago, Jonathon Sprott was a 7 year-old Cub Scout who did not attend any church, and he had never been baptized. Today he is an active United Methodist Church member. He says he prays every night, reads the Bible at least three times a week, and plans to play in a Christian rock band. In 2001, Jonathan participated in a “God and Me” program led by the Rev. Jim Ledgerwood, pastor of the Lancaster (Calif.) United Methodist Church. The program is designed for all church youth, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in grades 1-3, and is the first of four age-appropriate ministry programs sponsored by Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.). After Jonathan completed the first study, he asked Ledgerwood to baptize him. The youngster then became an active member of the youth group. He later completed the “God and Family” program (for grades 4 and 5) at the same church. When Jonathan was 10, his family moved to Valencia where he and his family joined Santa Clarita United Methodist Church. In that church, Jonathan completed the “God and Church”(for grades 6-8) program in 2003, and “God and Life” (for grades 9-12) in 2006. “It was a great way to make friends in a new neighborhood,” he says. Jonathan says he remembers visiting churches and learning about their stained glass windows in Lancaster. “I remember learning about the Apostle Paul and how courageous he was. I loved playing the hand bells for my service project during God and Church, and how could I ever forget packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child for another service project. I was amazed at how many boxes there were and how generous people were to people in need.” Jonathan’s pilgrimage from a scout attending meetings in a United Methodist Church to a scout who is an active member of the denomination mirrors the experience of Bishop John L. Hopkins of the Ohio East Area. The bishop recalls being invited to join a Boy Scout troop meeting in a Methodist Church. After a few weeks, he was invited to Sunday school classes at the church. Attending Sunday school classes led to being a member of a confirmation class. That class led to a life long commitment to Christ and the church. Forty-three percent of United Methodist churches in the United States did not receive a member by profession of faith in 2004, and yet 50 percent of boys in scout units housed in UM churches are unchurched. Scout units meeting in your church may include people like Jonathan Sprott or John Hopkins. Inviting them to participate in a God and Country program may be their first step to becoming life members of the United Methodist Church. Boy Scout Sunday (Feb. 11) or Girl Scout Sunday (March 11) may be perfect times to introduce the God and Country program or to present other youth or adult awards. For example, you may also want to consider presenting Good Samaritan Awards (for youth 12-21) or the Cross and Flame Award for adults leaders. Information about these programs and awards is available from the Office of Civic Youth-Serving Agencies/Scouting, P.O. Box 340006, Nashville, TN 37203-0006; phone: (615) 620-7262. Information about PRAY is available at http://www.praypub.org.
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