‘All of humanity are created in God’s image and are worthy of respect, compassion and care’

GREENVILLE, S.C.— When Trail Life USA (TrailLifeUSA.com), the largest Christ-centered, boy-focused scout-type organization in the country, was founded in 2013, it was built on traditional Christian values. Trail Life’s “Six Essential Concepts of a Christian Worldview” states, “Out of all of God’s creation, human beings are uniquely made in His image and likeness, and therefore all human life, from conception through natural death has unquestionable value, worth, and dignity. Because each human person is sacred and has intrinsic value, worth, and dignity, they should receive proper respect and protection regardless of age, disability, economic status, ethnicity, location, race, sex or sinful tendencies.”  Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life, commented, “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.”

This respect for life is so important that Trail Life dedicates one month each to year emphasizing the importance of life and our role as God’s imagers. In addition, they offer a “Respect Life” badge option for Troop members. The badge requirements include studying Scripture references about the value of life, researching the early Christian response to infanticide (a common practice at the time), volunteering to serve at a pregnancy crisis center, organizing a service project at a local nursing home, or engagaing in other projects that value the sanctity of life. 

Hancock stated, “Trailmen who earn this badge examine the special value God places on humanity and study the role we play as God’s image bearers. Because each human person is sacred and has intrinsic value, worth, and dignity, they should receive proper respect and protection regardless of age, disability, economic status, ethnicity, location, race, sex or sinful tendencies.”

 Hancock continued, “Trailmen learn that God’s image is not an ability we have, but a status we hold. All of humanity — men and women, boys and girls, infants and elderly, born and unborn, sick and healthy, the vigorous and the vegetative, the sinner and the saint— are created in God’s image and are worthy of respect, love, compassion and care. Our shortcomings do not diminish our value in God’s eyes.”

 For more information about Trail Life’s dedication to respect life, click here.

 Trail Life USA is the premier national character development organization for young men, producing godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. Trail Life’s mission is to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. Troops exist in all 50 states and are growing as Trail Life USA expands around the country. Find a Troop today, or Start a Troop in your community. Find out more at TrailLifeUSA.com.  

 Trail Life USA’s K-12 program centers on outdoor experiences that build a young man's skills. A robust awards program motivates young men to grow on a personal level to become role models and leaders among their peers. Living the Trail Life USA is a journey established on timeless values derived from the Bible.