You are receiving this newsletter because you have expressed an interest in P.R.A.Y. and Building Faith in Youth.   P.R.A.Y. handles the Protestant Christian program and provides resources to support clergy and lay leaders as well as scouting professionals and volunteers.
P.R.A.Y. Newsletter - November 2019
P.R.A.Y. Annual Report and Ministry Update
P.R.A.Y.'s Annual Report
P.R.A.Y. is pleased to present the 2018-2019 Annual Report showing our mission and financial health for the past fiscal year.

P.R.A.Y. expanded its mission with the Jesus and Me program for students in Kindergarten and first grade. 391 boys and girls participated in this inaugural program and we look for this number to grow. And looking at the other end of the spectrum to adults, the use of the adult recognitions increased 12%. We know that recognizing adults has a positive impact on the ministry to children and youth. We are excited by the growing number of adults involved in ministry through scouting.

The Annual Report also acknowledges “Friends of P.R.A.Y.” who have given financial gifts of $25 or more. We are grateful for your support!

Click here to view the P.R.A.Y. Annual Report .
Click here to become a Friend of P.R.A.Y.
P.R.A.Y. Annual Meeting Held October 2019
The P.R.A.Y. Annual Meeting was held in October 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was a gathering of its Board of Directors, youth agency representatives, and national denominational affiliates. Representatives from the following groups participated in the Annual Meeting:

American Heritage Girls
Boy Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of the USA
African Methodist Episcopal Connectional Scouting Ministry
Association of Baptists for Scouting
National Association of Disciples Scouting and Scouters
National Association of Presbyterian Scouters
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod/National Lutheran Association on Scouting
United Methodist Church, Office of Scouting Ministry

The agenda included review of finances, usage reports, election and installation of officers, achievements, and a peek into the future and a look at new opportunities for ministry and telling the P.R.A.Y. story.

P.R.A.Y. is thankful for the continued support from its membership and our growing impact upon youth education and ministry.
Introducing P.R.A.Y. Officers
The following officers were installed at the P.R.A.Y. Annual Meeting in October 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri: President, Roni Luckenbill (CEO, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio); Vice President, Rev. Dr. Sam Tolbert, Jr. (President, National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc.); Secretary/Treasurer, Star Geisz (National Representative, American Heritage Girls). P.R.A.Y. officers serve one-year terms.


Pictured left to right:
Roni Luckenbill
Star Geisz
Rev. Dr. Sam Tolbert
P.R.A.Y. CEO Jason Noland
Welcome New Board Directors
P.R.A.Y. is blessed with wonderful Board members who bring influence, ideas, and guidance to our table and those we serve. P.R.A.Y. is excited to announce three new Directors who have been elected for their leadership and faith commitment to young people:
Matthew Devore is Scout Executive/CEO of Cascade Pacific Council (BSA) headquartered in Portland, Oregon where he has served for 11 years. Matt has been with the Boy Scouts of America for 33 years. He is an experienced leader with success in Board Development, Strategic Planning, Endowment and Capital Campaigns, and Membership Development. Matt is also a member of “Brothers In Christ.” 

Charles Flowers is Scout Executive/CEO of Connecticut Yankee Council (BSA) headquartered in Milford, Connecticut where he has served since 2013. Charles has been with the Boy Scouts of America since 1994. He is an Eagle Scout and Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. 
Vikki Shepp is CEO of the Girl Scouts of Orange County headquartered in Irvine, California. Vikki earned the Girl Scout First Class Award (now the Girl Scout Gold Award), the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. Over her decade-long career with the Girl Scouts of Orange County, Vikki has held numerous leadership positions culminating with the position of CEO in 2018. Vikki has authored several books on ministry and for youth.
Please join P.R.A.Y. in welcoming all three Board Directors. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with them and the affinity they bring for ministry.
Farewell and Thank You to Former Board Directors 
This past Annual Meeting was an opportunity to celebrate the impact of 3 Board members whose terms have ended: John Fenoglio (BSA), Brian Steger (BSA), and Teena Weathersby-Hampton. Between the three of them, there were more than 17 years of service and commitment to P.R.A.Y.'s mission.

Note: Pictured above is Board President Roni Luckenbill acknowledging John Fenoglio and Brian Steger for their service. Missing is Teena Weathersby-Hampton.

40 years of Ministry!
P.R.A.Y. is celebrating 40 years of ministry! We invite you to celebrate with us and join in supporting P.R.A.Y. with a gift of $40 or more. Click here to make your gift today!

P.R.A.Y. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and relies on gifts to develop and produce new programs and resources. Your gift of any size will help support the work that P.R.A.Y. does in Building Faith in Youth. Please consider a financial gift today!
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