FBCVA - RAs - (972) 977-9910

First Baptist Church of Van Alstyne Royal Ambassadors Program.
Boy's Wednesday night program from 6:15 - 7:45.

Van Alstyne Royal Ambassadors (VARAs) is a Bible-centered, church-based, Southern Baptist missions education organization for boys in grades 1st-4th. Boys are taught how to be ambassadors for Christ in all areas of their life whether it be home, school, sports, activities and friendships. Each week we have an activity filled night of learning how to do guy stuff centered around God's word. Throughout the year, we will do extra activities such as races, competitions, camp outs and serving projects around the community. This program strongly encourages men and boys participation. Our normal meeting times are Wed nights from 6:15 to 7:45.

History: Begun in 1908, RAs has a rich heritage of providing missions education for boys. As then national WMU President Fannie E. S. Heck declared: “Save the boys for their own sakes and for the future of the gospel.” RAs and their leaders have been about that task for over 100 years.

The RA Motto (which has never changed), "We are Ambassadors for Christ," not only gives the organization its name, but also gives the boys and leaders a lifestyle goal. This Motto is taken from Scripture, specifically 2 Corinthians 5:20.

The RA Scripture passage (2 Corinthians 5:17-20) describes the purpose of Royal Ambassadors:

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, 'Be reconciled to God.'" (2 Cor. 5:17-20, HCSB)

What are the parts of the RA emblem and their purposes?

Organization name and Scripture: An ambassador is a representative in a court or nation other than his own. Royal Ambassadors are representatives of Christ the King bringing good news of salvation to people everywhere. The RA Motto reads, "We are Ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20, HCSB).

The shield stands for faith in Christ (see Eph. 6:16). This symbol represents the journey of faith and a commitment to having faith in Christ.

The crown stands for Christ the King and what He represents (see Jas. 1:12). As a follower and ambassador of Christ, we are to stay focused on Jesus and His message to the world.

The branch is for achievement and victory in the work of being an Ambassador for Christ (see Matt. 25:21). Combining skills and actions help accomplish the goal of carrying the gospel to people needing to hear it.

Blue represents the boy's loyalty to Christ, His church, and each other.
Gold represents the worth of the boy to God's mission.
White represents purity of living, which makes him an effective ambassador.

Tags: Religious Organization