A Christian should see great dignity and value in human life because we are made in the image and likeness of God himself. In God’s eyes, our value is not based on our gender, our skin color, our physical ability, our mental capacity, our successes, or our failures. “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Gen 1:27)”
All of Trail Life USA mourns the passing of Richard Mathews, former and first General Counsel and Lifetime Charter Member of Trail Life USA.
Richard’s fingerprints are all over our founding documents, and his passion for youth protection still influences our thoughts, guidelines, and care for boys.
The announcement of his joining Trail Life USA at our inaugural convention in 2013 will remain a favorite memory for many in the Trail Life community. You can watch the video below:
And then I caught the lesson God was telling me - 'Do you trust me like that? Will you step with boldness into the life of another?' Are you willing to notice others, connect with them, and become an everyday hero as you build into their lives? We each have our own assignments. As I trust, God is going to use me. Each of us have the opportunity to be an everyday hero in the lives of others.
Holding a spoonful of green beans in one hand, 11-year-old Charlie Keeling looked over the counter at the veterans in line before him at Restoration House Family Worship Center.
"Would you like some green beans?" Keeling asked. "Are you a veteran? Thank you for your service."
A RETURN TO SCOUTING’S ROOTS
The Trail Life movement represents a return to the founding principles of youth scouting as articulated by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a British army officer and founder of the modern youth scouting movement.
“Trail Life has been one of the most influential parts of my life. . . . As a young person, you can do many ‘activities,’ but there were no other opportunities available to me where you can learn leadership of peers in this Christ-centered environment.”
What follows is a partial transcript of Mark Hancock’s keynote address entitled “Lies About You.” The speech was delivered on Sunday, July 21st at the Trail Life USA Summer Adventure and Family Convention. To hear the message in its entirety, click the video link below.
As a young man in high school and college, I stopped going hunting with my dad because I was just too busy, I got married and had kids. Classic adult excuses, but I just didn’t think about hunting until one fall day in 2011. Visiting with my Dad one day, out of the blue he asked if I was interested in going elk hunting with him that year. I had never been elk hunting and honestly was surprised and excited about his invitation.
This Independence Day, Trailmen and families from Troop IL-0412 woke early to gather at a local cemetery. Today’s event had received special attention and boys and families arrived at 9 AM to begin this Independence Day with a special commemoration and blessing.
A National Guard facility in Pennsylvania refused to allow a Trail Life USA scouting troop to tour their facility because of the group’s religious affiliation.
