rangers complete 'the quest' at camp rock enon

TOMAHAWK July - August 2015

TomahawkTomahawk Potomac District Royal Rangers News and Information for Royal Ranger Leaders July - August 2015

Rangers Complete ‘The Quest’

at Camp Rock Enon

Page 4

It Never Gets Old

1,000 Young Men Have Come to Christ

Through Detention Center Ministry

Page 8

Rangers Answer ‘Call of Duty’

Page 9

Shenandoah Canoe Expedition

0

TOMAHAWK July - August 2015 2

POTOMAC DISTRICT ROYAL RANGERS www.potomacrangers.org

Royal Rangers is a principal ministry of the As-

semblies of God focused on discipling boys for

Jesus Christ. We provide Christ-like character

formation and servant leadership development

for boys and young men in a highly relational and

fun environment. Our mission is to evangelize,

equip and empower the next generation of

Christ-like men and lifelong servant leaders.

The Potomac District administrative region of

the General Council of the Assemblies of God

takes in Washington, D.C., Maryland, most of

Virginia and northern West Virginia. Over 100

churches throughout this region currently pro-

vide Royal Ranger ministry to more than 2,500

boys and young men. We use many tools to

achieve that goal whether it be camping, merits

or interactive skills, all designed to help develop a

boy into a man while having fun and getting to

know God.

We want to develop both men and boys in men-

toring relationships and leadership skills, and

guide them to Jesus Christ. We reach boys, so

they may reach another in their world.

tomahawk

Potomac District Executive Director

Rev. Bobby Basham

Potomac District Commander

Bob Blessing

Outreach/Publications Coordinator

Newsletter Editor

Gary Wagner

The Tomahawk newsletter is published bimonthly as a means of communicating news and infor-

mation to Royal Ranger leaders throughout the Potomac District. Sectional staffs and outposts

are invited to submit articles and photographs that feature activities of Royal Ranger ministries

on a local level, or to share ideas and successes. Email material to [email protected]. Please

submit photos as separate jpg image files.

The Tomahawk is distributed via email as an electronic publication. Email address corrections,

or requests to be added to the distribution list, should be forwarded to Potomac District execu-

tive secretary Denise Raduano at [email protected].

Royal Rangers Emblem © 1962 by the national Royal

Rangers Office, The General Council of the Assemblies of God; Springfield, Mo. 65802. The Royal Rangers

Emblem may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—

electronically, mechanically, photocopies, recording, or

otherwise—without prior written permission from the national Royal Rangers Office.

Potomac District Royal Rangers on Facebook www.facebook.com/PotomacRangers

Calling All Frontiersmen!

Frontiersman Camping Fellowship Blue Ridge Chapter

Fall Trace &

Great Adventure

September 25-27, 2015 “The Hiding Place”

Fredericksburg, Va.

Trace schedule and registration information is available on line at www.potomacrangers.org.


By Bob Blessing

W hat a great Pow Wow. A beautiful new camp site and

some of the best weather we have experienced in years. I would like to thank all of the commanders that took the time to bring the boys to Pow Wow. Everyone worked well together to make the set up and take down of camp a smooth process. Thanks also to the sec-tional commanders on traffic duty.

A special thanks to the productions team putting on a tremendous fireworks show Friday night and building a stage for our evening services. Also to our Pow Wow Co-ordinator Harry Hawthorne a special thanks for the many trips prior to Pow Wow and working hard on the logis-tics.

What a fun time with all of the events from the shoot-ing sports to the repelling wall to the bounce event in the pond. And let’s not forget the district water balloon fight. I would like to thank everyone that worked together as a team from the district executive staff, district staff and all of those who volunteered to pitch in and help. We pulled together an accomplished much. God was working dur-ing the evening services in the lives of those in attend-ance.

If you missed Pow Wow, we hope to see you in 2016.

Thanks for A Terrific District Pow Wow

Supporting Churches,

Businesses & Individuals

Special thanks to our Supporting Churches, Sec-tions, Businesses and Individuals. Your generosity enables further enhancements to this ministry. Any-one wishing to join our group of supporters may request an application from the Potomac District Royal Ranger office, email [email protected].

GOLD MEMBERS

Briel Company Charles Town, West Va. Projects Unlimited - Gary Groves Eldersburg, Md. Walt Eger Service Center Severn, Md.

SUPPORTING CHURCHES

Outpost 2 Trinity Assembly of God Lanham, Md.

Outpost 6 Pasadena Assembly of God Pasadena, Md.

Outpost 9 Calvary Assembly of God Frederick, Md.

Outpost 18 Eastern Assembly of God Baltimore, Md.

Outpost 27 Glad Tidings Church Norfolk, Va.

Outpost 46 Bethel Assembly of God Savage,Md.

Outpost 47 Trinity Assembly of God Lutherville,Md.

Outpost 49 Centerpointe Church at Fair Oaks Fairfax, Va.

Outpost 60 Chapel Springs Church Bristow, Va.

Outpost 89 Bethel Assembly of God Martinsburg, W.Va.

Outpost 100 Hancock Assembly of God Hancock, Md.

Outpost 124 Jubilee Christian Center Fairfax, Va.

Outpost 150 Warrenton Assembly of God Warrenton, Va.

Outpost 152 Lighthouse Worship Center Hayes, Va.

Outpost 186 Hazel River Assembly of God Rixeyville, Va.

Outpost 240 Living Word Community Church Mechanicsville, Md.

Outpost 277 Ocean City Worship Center Berlin, Md.

INDIVIDUAL DONORS

Rev. Bobby Basham Stephens City, Va. Homer Kitchen Gerrardstown, W.Va. Gary & Faye Groves Eldersburg, Md. Phil Vieth Yorktown, Va. Bob Blessing St. Michaels, Md.

DISTRICT DIRECTOR’S MEMO


Camp Rock Enon in Gore, Va., hosted the 2015 Potomac District Pow Wow and “The Quest” to “put on the

full armor of God” (Eph. 6:11). The first district Pow Wow to be held at this location drew 580 Rangers,

leaders and visitors, representing 46 outposts. Operated by the Shenandoah Area Council of the Boy

Scouts of America, Camp Rock Enon offered a memorable experience for our Rangers. Highlights included

swimming, canoeing and fishing in Miller Lake (photo above) as well as rappelling down a 60-feet natural

rock wall (bottom right photo).

Potomac District Completes ‘The Quest’


A productions crew member gets

ready for the evening service.

TOMAHAWK July - August 2015 5 TOMAHAWK July - August 2015 5


‘The Quest’

Miller Lake was a focal point for

a number of Pow Wow events at

Camp Rock Enon, including an

outpost canoe race and fishing

tournament (top photos). Ar-

chery, skeet and pellet gun

shooting (center photos) were

also popular.

THE MAIN EVENT … Over 10,000 water balloons were used in an explosive duel between Rangers divided into two groups, and

members of the district executive staff caught in a “no man’s land” in the middle. The heart-pounding barrage was over in a

matter of minutes. While there was no decisive “win” by either side, the executive staff clearly took a soaking.



JUNIOR LEADERSHIP GRADUATION … Rangers attending the Junior Leadership Training Academy at Camp Rock Enon were recog-

nized on Saturday evening (above). This year’s academy featured five different camps, including for the first time the Shooting

Sports Camp.

The Troy Carver Band

(top left) led worship on

Friday and Saturday

night, with Rev. Bobby

Basham (center left),

executive director for

Potomac District Royal

Rangers serving as the

principal guest speak-

er. Together with Chris

Basham, speaking dur-

ing the Saturday morn-

ing assembly, they

brought enthusiastic

messages encouraging

all to fight the good

fight equipped with the

indwelling life and pow-

er of Jesus Christ.



They think they are doomed to living a life behind bars. In almost 10 years working with boys in detention, both here and in South Carolina, one thing is very clear to me: these boys need someone to be-lieve in them. I have seen first-hand what positive encouragement has done for so many of these boys who find themselves at a crossroads, not sure which way to go, but looking for direc-tion from someone who cares. We are to respect the boys’ privacy, so we can’t use their names, but here are some of their prayer requests:

Please pray for my father and my older brother. They are both in prison.

Please pray for my mother, she has been evicted from our apartment, and I don’t know where she is.

Please pray for me, I am going to hell.

Please pray for me, I accidently shot and killed another boy.

Please pray for my family, we don’t have anything.

Please pray for me, I’m a Christian now, but I don’t know what to do. I want to live straight, but it’s hard.

Please pray for me, I try to act tough in front of the others, but I’m really scared.

Please pray for me, I don’t have a family. My father killed my mother, and then him-self.

Please pray for me, they say if I want to be forgiven, I have to forgive my father, and I just can’t do it.

Please pray for me, I will be going back home soon. I want to live for God, but I know it’s going to be hard.

Please pray for me, I just turned 18, and when I’m released, I will not be able to re-turn to my family home.

Please pray for my two children, a three-year-old and a two-year-old. I’m 18, and want to be a good father.

Author Glenn Sorrentino is the Adventure Rangers commander at Outpost 158 at Harvest Assembly of God in Chesapeake, Va.

By Glenn Sorrentino

I have been a Royal Ranger commander for almost 40 years. Both my wife and I were

saved through the witness of a Royal Ranger commander, who called upon his Ranger training when sharing Christ with us. It took the better part of a year, but we finally surrendered to the Sav-ior, both my wife and I at the same time, and God rewarded my friend Jim, the Ranger commander, by allowing him to be the one to lead us in the sinner’s prayer. I mention this because there have been times I have wondered why I’ve stayed in this ministry. There have been dry times; times when I have thought God was no longer using me to fulfill His pur-poses in the lives of the boys I served. And those were the times I have been tempted to quit. But then I recall the times when He has used me, in some cases to bring a boy to Christ, or to encour-

he deserves the glory and praise! These boys in detention have so much in common with the boys in my church outpost; they know how to show respect and honor for the flags during open-ing ceremony, they love to play games, they thrive on competi-tion, and they really enjoy birth-day cake. But there are several ways these boys differ from the boys at church: these boys already know what doesn’t work in life, be-cause they have tried it. They are street savvy; they know about drugs, crime, the court system, and have had a hard lesson on submitting to authority. They also know about sharing their clothing, even underwear, with strangers, because they do so eve-ry day in the detention center. And they know they need to change; the question for them is, how? Many of them believe the devil’s lie that they can’t change, that there is no hope for them.

It Never Gets Old

age a young man whose family was breaking up, or to help a boy who was hav-ing trouble completing the requirements for his Gold Medal. And I know He can still use me, if I’m available. Just about a four and a

half years ago we started a Royal Ranger outpost in a juvenile detention center here in the Tidewater South section. Then in January 2012, another detention center opened

its doors to us. In July of this year we opened in New-port News. Through this out-reach, almost 1,000 young men have come to Christ. God has led every step of the way, and


Competitive events included (clockwise from top) a Warrior Run with four

skill testing stations, a “chariot” lashing race and kick ball tournament.

thoughtful messages focused on understanding how to live our Christian lives in view of what Je-sus Christ has provided through his life, death and resurrection.

O ver 90 campers and visi-tors attended Central Sec-tion’s 2015 Pow Wow

hosted at Camp Happyland in Richardsville, Va. on June 4-7. This was the first Pow Wow held at the site, which is operated by the Salvation Army as a sum-mer camp for inner city children and as a conference and retreat center year-round. While the Pow Wow began with on-and-off rain showers and downpours throughout most of Thursday into the evening, the weather brightened for the remain-der of the weekend with partly cloudy skies and mild to warm temperatures. On the schedule for this year’s Pow Wow were perennial favor-ites—the Warrior Run, “The Elimi-nator” obstacle course, basketball tournament, and All-Star campsite competition among others. New for this year was a kick ball tournament for Discovery Rangers, who enjoyed playing the game on the camp’s softball field. Guest speaker for Pow Wow was Rev. Julian Brooks, youth pas-

tor at Abundant Life Assembly of God in Garrisonville. Ministering during Friday and Saturday night worship services held in the camp’s pavilion, Brooks shared

Rangers Heed the ‘Call of Duty’ at Central Section Pow Wow


Canoe Expedition Takes in Scenic Shenandoah River

A dozen Rangers and leaders from three outposts in Central Section enjoyed a two-day ca-

noe expedition on the Shenandoah River on June 26-27. The event was organized for all Ad-venture Rangers and Expedition Rang-ers in Central Section and featured a

19-mile canoe trip and overnight camp out on the river shoreline. The river was a little low in spite of on-and-off drenching rain most of the day Saturday. But the quiet peaceful-ness of the river and its largely undis-turbed shoreline along the route was the highlight of a memorable trip.

The group takes a break from

paddling (left). Wildlife en-

countered on the trip was

plentiful—from blue herons to

Canadian Geese to turtles to

crawfish (right).



September 17-19

Trinity Assembly of God Luray, Va.

Extreme Church Makeover Projects are one of the main fo-cuses of Potomac Men’s Minis-tries. These projects engage men into ministry and provide a much needed boost for churches that are unable to renovate their facilities themselves. It is amaz-ing the impact these projects can have on the local church, and the opportunity they afford for men to be engaged in missions. The upcoming makeover pro-ject for Trinity Assembly of God in Luray will include relocation of restrooms, painting, carpentry and electrical work. Meals are provided. Work team members may sleep in the church or may stay at an area hotel at their own expense. The sign-up for Extreme Church Makeover Projects is on line at www.potomacmen.org.

Goin’ Fishin’ Outpost 262 at Ellicott City Assembly of God in Ellicott City, Md., enjoyed

a fishing outing at a Heartwood Outdoors Ministry camp on June 28, with

seven Rangers and five leaders attending. Senior Cmdr. Tracy Groves is

pictured helping Ranger Kid Lucas Lemon land the biggest fish caught.

Later, he showed how to clean and prepare the fish to eat. None was left

after all the boys had a sample.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game Outpost 262 at Ellicott City Assembly of God took 25 Rangers and fathers

to a Baltimore Orioles ball game on June 26. Pictured enjoying the game

are Cmdr. Gary Groves with Ranger Kids Evan Valentine and David Hen-

dricks. Cmdr. Doug Schafer is in the background. After the game, some of

the older Rangers stayed overnight at the church and helped fix breakfast

for the men’s prayer meeting and Bible study Saturday morning.

DISTRICT NEWS & INFORMATION DISTRICT NEWS & INFORMATION


DISTRICT NEWS & INFORMATION DISTRICT NEWS & INFORMATION

National Rangers Ministry Camp (NRMC)

September 25-27, 2015

Broad Creek Boy Scout Reservation, Camp Spencer, Whiteford, Md. National Rangers Ministry Camp will give instruction in basic outdoor skills and activities providing leaders with the skills needed to take their Ranger boys on exciting outpost activities outside their normal weekly meeting times. In-struction in effectively implementing the team/patrol method will be offered as a means to facilitate junior leadership development. Also, leaders will be chal-lenged to connect with God and explore spiritual manhood.

Register on line at www.royalrangers.com

Lawrence W. Seeds, a for-mer member of Potomac Dis-trict Staff for Royal Rangers, went to be with the Lord on June 4. He was 67. Larry served as Tidewater South Sectional Commander through 2009. He is survived by his wife Hildegard of 44 years. He leaves behind two sons Larry Jr. and Chris, one daughter Pam Perdue, three grandsons, one brother Jimmy Seeds and one sister Gladys Stapp.

In Memory

Larry Seeds

Royal Ranger Alumni (RRA) members in the Potomac District celebrated their sixth annual

reunion in conjunction with this year’s district Pow Wow. Seventeen RRA members enjoyed

the time of fellowship over breakfast on Saturday at the Hayfield Family Restaurant in Hay-

field, Va. Many thanks to all the RRA members who helped Cmdr. Rick Powers staff the con-

cession stand at district Pow Wow New Members - Potomac District’s RRA recently wel-

comed new members Alan Lloyd and Roy D. Householder.

Royal Rangers Alumni Celebrate Sixth Annual Reunion


Jerry Sinden - Northeast Section

1805 Milstream Dr. Frederick, MD 21702

[email protected] (301) 620-0034

Northwest Section

Jerry Sinden (Acting)

Greg Barr - North Central Section

Box 384, Fort Ashby, WV 26719


Western Section

Greg Barr (Acting)

Phil Vieth - Tidewater North Section

200 Treis Trail Yorktown, VA 23693


Roger Riendeau - Tidewater South Section

7719 Doris Dr. Norfolk, VA 23505


Paul Moses - Eastern Section

18 Maple Lane, Elkton, MD 21921


Robert “Buzz” Gregory - Eastern Shore Section

9260 Hickory Mill Rd. Salisbury, MD 21801


Nate Hawthorne - Junior Aide de Camp

3005 Lochary Rd. Bel Air, MD 21015


Tommy Horton - Junior Aide de Camp

5719 Amelia Springs Circle Haymarket, VA 20169


Cliff Jewell - Staff Advisor

9150 James Madison Hwy. Warrenton, VA 20186


Sam Linn - Staff Advisor

1687 McCoys Ford Rd. Front Royal, VA 22630


Tracy Groves - Staff Advisor

2340 Liberty Rd. Eldersburg, MD 21784


Dick Aldridge - Staff Advisor

46 Tadcaster Circle Waldorf, MD 20602


Brandon Campbell - FCF Scribe

116 Ellis Martinsburg, WV 25404


David Jimerson - District EMT

4812 Amberjack Ct. Virginia Beach, VA 23464


SECTIONAL COMMANDERS

Mark Craft - Capital Virginia Section

4518 Eastlawn Ave., Woodbridge, VA 22193


Mark Craft - Capital Maryland Section

4518 Eastlawn Ave., Woodbridge, VA 22193


Ken O’Maley - Central Section

11042 Settletown Place Rixeyville, VA 22737


Marvin Boswell - Southern Section

P. O. Box 35 Rockville, VA 23146


Gary Wagner - Publications/Outreach Coordinator

3905 Swanson Ct. Fredericksburg, VA 22408


Mike Cocolin - Missions Coordinator

8413 Elvaton Rd. Millersville, MD 21108


Gary Groves - RR Alumni President

2326 Liberty Rd. Eldersburg, MD 21784


Linda Cocolin - Health Officer

8413 Elvaton Rd. Millersville, MD 21108


Seth Van de Ven - Special Aide de Camp

9816 Hampton Lane, Fairfax, VA 22030


Tyler Mazer - GMA Coordinator

99 Shenandoah View Dr. Harpers Ferry, WV 25425


Isaac Brannon - Special Aide de Camp

2815 Angus Chase Lane, Huntingtown, MD 20639


Dale Eger - Special Aide de Camp

3720 Benson Ave., Baltimore, MD 21227


EXECUTIVE STAFF

Rev. Bobby Basham - Executive Director

166 Serviceberry Ct. Stephens City, VA 22655


Bob Blessing - District Commander

304 Lincoln Ave., St. Michaels, MD 21663


Homer Kitchen - Deputy District Commander

8614 Apple Harvest Dr. Gerrardstown, WV 25420


Mark Brannon - FCF Chapter President

2815 Angus Chase Lane, Huntingtown, MD 20639


Harry Hawthorne - Pow Wow Coordinator

3005 Lochary Rd. Bel Air, MD 21015


Phil Georg - Training Coordinator

111 East H St. Brunswick, MD 21716


Craig Powis - Junior Training Coordinator

100 Kingbrook Rd. Linthicum, MD 21090


Chris Basham - Media/Productions

166 Serviceberry Ct. Stephens City, VA 22655


Potomac District Royal Rangers on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/PotomacRangers

POTOMAC DISTRICT ROYAL RANGERS STAFF

rangers complete 'the quest' at camp rock enon

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