By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – The recent Royal Ambassador Congress, March 22-23, saw an increase in attendance and fathers accompanying their sons (first through sixth grades) at the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center event.
The two-day conference drew 160 boys and adult leaders from eight churches and featured: Gospel presentations by “Champion Chaplain” Allen Huffman, the 2023 Southeast Super Truck Series champion; go-karting; pit row (how to change and plug a tire); a classic car show; and the Pinewood Derby and Soap Box car races.
Louisiana Baptist Men’s Ministry and Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham believes the event reflected a renewed interest in RAs around the state. He noted the RA Congress drew 160 participants and fathers.
“More churches are wanting to get back to emphasizing missions education and RAs is a great way to do that for young men who will carry on that passion for missions into their teenage and adult years,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Events like RA Congress helps to train young boys to become godly men. I’m very encouraged to see more dads come out here and spend quality time for a couple of days with their sons. Additionally, the Spirit of the Lord was working, and the hope is that many eventually will accept Christ as their Lord and Savior because they attended.”
RA Congress allowed Matthew Fontenot the opportunity to spend a weekend away from distractions with his sons Daniel and Andrew. He previously brought his other two sons William and Bailen to RA Congress.
“When I was little, I didn’t get this same opportunity and this has allowed me to change that for my own sons,” said Fontenot, an RA leader with First Baptist Church, Lafayette. “So many fathers are not involved in the lives of their sons and daughters and have lots of negative influence that creeps into their lives. If we are not showing love and attention to our kids, then someone else will and that can be dangerous.”
Kenneth Hebert, an RA leader with Trinity Baptist Church, Oakdale, echoed the thought.
“The boys out here learned a lot about skills they can use, such as changing a flat tire,” Hebert said. “To have that kind of hands-on experience is a wonderful thing that they will carry on into their adulthood. This world needs events like RA Congress to help make boys into Christ-like men.”
During the Pinewood Derby competition, participants competed in a series of heats to determine a first-place winner for each grade level. These victors advanced to the finals to determine the top three overall champions.
The RAs and leaders also took part in a Soap Box Derby race.
SOAP BOX DERBY
Fastest Lad: first place, Luke Winkler, Quitman Baptist Church; second place, Hudson Richardson FBC, Lafayette.
Fastest Crusader: first place, Josiah Jones, Quitman Baptist; second place, James Borne, FBC Lafayette.
Most Unusual: first place, Riverside Baptist Church, River Ridge; second place, Quitman Baptist Church; third place, Trinity Baptist Church, Oakdale.
Dads Race: first place, Isaiah Jones, Quitman Baptist; second place, Kevin Klepzig, Temple Baptist; third place; J.P. Cotton, Trinity Baptist, Natchitoches.
PINEWOOD DERBY
Most Unusual: first place, Alston Spears, FBC Lafayette; second place, Nathan Andries, FBC Lafayette; third place, Josiah Jones, Quitman Baptist Church.
Best design: first place, Noah Price, Trinity Baptist Church, Natchitoches; second place, Jayce Juneau, Abundant Grace Church, Deville; third place, Eli Muller, Riverside Baptist Church, River Ridge.
Overall: first place, Josiah Jones, Quitman Baptist Church; second place, Liam Newson, Temple Baptist Church, Ruston; third place, Tanner McCarthy, Temple Baptist Church, Ruston.
GO KARTING
First place, Lawson Burnette, Riverside Baptist Church, River Ridge; second place, Saeran Beckham, Bayou De Glaises Baptist Church, Moreauville; third place, William Sayes, FBC Lafayette.
