Who Are  Royal Ambassadors?

A Royal Ambassador (RA) is a boy in grades 1-12 committed to living out the RA Pledge. This pledge is part of personal and chapter (group of RAs) accountability.

What is the Royal Ambassador Organization?

Royal Ambassadors (RAs) is a Bible-centered, church-based, Southern Baptist mission education organization for boys in grades 1-6.

WHY THE NAME ROYAL AMBASSADORS?

The RA Motto, "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 Scripture passage 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 describes the purpose of Royal Ambassadors. While the RA motto is found in verse 20, the other verses sum up Paul's declaration of why we need to be ambassadors for Christ.

"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?

The Words RA—Royal Ambassadors
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
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
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
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.

The Colors
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.

Personal Growth Plan 

What is the RA Personal Growth Plan?

• Process for developing "Ambassadors for Christ."
• For boys in grades 1-6.
• Uses sets of learning and experiencing activities that guide the boys to make and keep commitments.
• Uses the principles of the RA Pledge.
• Uses specific virtues supporting each part of the pledge to develop positive, biblical character in boys.
• A plan for boys to make choices with the leader supporting and guiding.

What virtues are studied?

Lads (Grades 1-3)		Crusaders (Grades 4-6)
•	Loyalty	•	Faith
•	Friendship	•	Compassion
•	Courage	•	Perseverance
•	Responsibility	•	Teamwork
•	Honesty	•	Self-discipline

What do the boys learn and experience through the Personal Growth Plan?

• Making good choices and keeping commitments.
• Missionary stories related to the virtues.
• Testimonies about the virtues.
• Bible memory and study.
• Mission and ministry projects.
• Interest activities.
• Individual and group participation.
• Living the RA Pledge as their lifestyle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HISTORY OF THE CHARLES THOMPSON CHAPTER OF THE ROYAAL AMBASSADORS

In 1949, the first twelve (12) Southern Baptist Missionaries, came to The Bahamas. Over the next three years, one of the missionaries, Mr. Hudson McMillian from South America, saw the need for an organization which catered to the needs of boys and young men. He held a meeting on Meeting Street, and in 1952, started the Royal Ambassadors (R.A.) Program in Salem, Zion and Transfiguration Baptist Churches. The R.A. program was already a thriving force in the U.S.A., but with the introduction in The Bahamas, many boys were excited about the program.
The chapter, which was started in Transfiguration, was called the Hudson McMillan Chapter. A young man of 27 years was appointed the first Counselor. His name……..Maxwell Stubbs. The Ambassador in Chief was Garnet King and the Assistant Ambassador in Chief was Ralph Johnson. Some of the members were Dameek Moncur, Samuel Strachan, Albert Brown, Cornelius Outten, Joseph Rolle, Brazil, Wilbert, Rawson and Madison McDonald. Fridays seemed to have always been the best day for meetings.
The majority of the activities the boys participated in were held outdoors. For example swimming, picnics and sporting events. Many of the boys also attended the Whales Cay Camp. Rev. C. H. Thompson, pastor of the church, attended the meetings and went along with them on some of their outings very often. The chapter grew, and with the enthusiasm of some of its members, the Jordan Memorial Chapter was formed in 1959. This chapter was started by Hartman Brown when he entered the teaching profession.
The Jordan Memorial Chapter comprised of all boys from the Primary School Department. The officers were Earnest Winter, President, Bernal Bullard, Vice President and Joseph Gibson, Secretary. Rev. C. H. Thompson asked Hartman Brown to merge his chapter with the one at Transfiguration, because he was not allowed to continue with the Jordan Memorial Chapter after he left the teaching profession. When both chapters merged, they retained the name of The Hudson McMillan Chapter, Maxwell Stubbs remained Counselor and Albert Brown became President.
Shortly after the merge, there was a need for an election of officers. The following persons were elected to office:

Maxwell Stubbs - Chief Counselor
Hartman Brown - Counselor
Albert Brown - Asst. Counselor
Earnest Winter - President
Bernal Bullard - Vice President
Joseph Gibson - Secretary
Willmon Saunders - Steward
Nigel Clarke - Custodian

After the election the chapter changed its name to the Charles Thompson Chapter of Royal Ambassadors. Some of the members after the name change were Adlington Rolle, Charles Stubbs, Kenny Lewis, Arnold Josey, Ronald Campbell, Samuel Rodgers, Byron Stubbs, Patrick Stubbs, Derick King, Wendal Cleare, Ivan Cleare, Paul Armbrister, Philip Cooper, Wilfred Johnson (deceased), Cecil Higgs, Keith Rolle, Robin Forbes, Robin Roberts and Jeffery Brown.
Years passed by, but the chapter grew tremendously and the need for the shuffle in officers was evident. To this end, Hartman Brown became Chief Counselor and Mr. Adlington Rolle became Counselor. Some of the persons active in Royal Ambassadors during this era were James Gardiner, Rupert Gardiner, Shelton Higgs and many others.
Royal Ambassadors made their debut and first official parade on Remembrance Day November 1st, 1963. The wreath was laid by A. J. Wilson the Counselor from Pilgrim Baptist Church. December of the same year, saw the chapter in their first production which was staged at Wesley School Room and this was a tremendous success. The 1970's saw a journeyman, Phil Aday, come to The Bahamas and organize the first R. A. Congress.
During the 1970's to the mid 1980's Charles Stubbs, a young man, became the Counselor of the chapter. It was a pleasure and a blessing for him to serve as Counselor of the chapter for that period. As a result of his desire and interest in doing God's work among young people, he made a commitment to the Lord to expand and revitalize the R. A. Ministry in this church. New chapters were started and the membership here increased by 100%. Realizing the important roles that parents play in the spiritual, psychological and physical development of their children, a Parents Committee was formed. This committee was instrumental in helping to raise funds and providing uniforms for underprivileged members. Special mention and appreciation must be given to Mother Gwendolyn Simmons, who is presently a shut-in member, for all the contributions and time she has given to the R. A.'s of this church.
The R. A. of this church also had a very successful Community Outreach Program. Relationships and regular monthly visits were established between the R. A. and the Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Boys Industrial School. We became good supporters of those organizations. To encourage members and keep them active, recreational, sporting and camping activities were held monthly. Many members learnt how to cook, make outside fires and slept in outside tents on our overnight hikes. Over the years, a number of Family Island Camps were held. The two major ones were held in Sandy Point, Abaco and Blanket Sound, Andros. This chapter also played a major role in the continued success and growth of the R. A. Band.
Without the support and help of Almighty God and his dedicated officers including Larry Stubbs, Martin Rolle, Kerry Poitier, Hasting Rollins, Stephen Sands, George Newbold and many others, his tenure as Counselor would not have been enjoyable and successful. In 1979, the chapter had a name change because of the death of Rev. C. H. Thompson. The chapter's name was changed to the Charles Thompson Memorial Chapter of Royal Ambassadors.
In the mid 1980's Charles Stubbs left for studies abroad and Larry Stubbs became Counselor of the chapter. The chapter had a regular attendance of about 35 boys per week. Some of the members during that time were Gregory Munroe, Philip Roberts, Nevin Winters, Beetrum Brown (deceased), Felix Munroe Jr., Ormond Greenslade, Kenneth Greenslade, Vincent Rolle, Frederick Sands, Bradley Sands, Donald Rolle, Leonard Rolle, Sterling Moss, Terrance Gibson, Andrew Edgecombe, Godfrey Edgecombe, Dave Thompson, Oscar Dames, Fabian Bain and many of the young men of our church today. Over the past years, we have had several speakers to come and speak to the boys. Some of them were Assistant Superintendent of Police Marvin Dames who spoke on the topic of gangs that are roaming our streets today, the punishment and what a day in the life of a prisoner is like. Mr. Cornelius Outten who came and gave the boys an encouraging word. Mr. Anthony Hepburn spoke to the boys on Table Settings and etiquette. Rev. Dr. Garnet King, Rev. Stephen Thompson, Mr. Brazil McDonald and Mr. Hasting Rollins who conducted Bible Study at one time or another. We also had an officer from Community Policing come and speak to the boys about the social ills of our community.
Today, we have approximately 60-75 boys in our chapter and we are preparing to celebrate our 51st Anniversary on Sunday 26th October, 2003. It is a bit difficult at times to find workers, but we are trying to use persons to speak to the boys on a monthly basis who used to be members of this great organization.
We have a great legacy to follow, and with God's help all things are possible as long as we put Him first in all we do.

Published By: Counselor Larry Stubbs

As a Royal Ambassador, I have been doing my best to remain healthy mind and body. I have been in the program and have watched brothers in Christ rise and fall. The program, centered around Christ, was one of the contributors to me being a well grounded man of God and establishing a well balanced relationship ( while gaining advise from male advisors).

I lead the Junior Chapter as Vice President 2008-2009, and we hold meeting at the Charles thompson Memorial Building - the youth center of Transfiguration Baptist Church, Vessey and Markey Street- at Fridays 5:30-7:00 pm. 

"Going Forward in Christ Name"