Association of Baptists for Scouting

05/29/2026

As we continue recognizing our ABS National Duty to God Recipients, Merri Bolen received this award in 2020. Merri continued as the Secretary is the Association of Baptists for Scouting thru 2023, now serving as Historian. She continues her involvement supporting Duty to God at NOAC and other OA events as well as her home council Chattahoochee’s Duty to God and Country event.

Merri Bolen 2020 Recipient Snapshot:
Merri has demonstrated a long and selfless history in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting. She has served as the chair of her council’s Religious Relations Committee and has been the driving force of the council’s annual Duty to God Retreat. She has numerous times served on the Duty to God Staff at Philmont Training Center for the week long “Scouting in the Baptist Church”. She has served for years on the national level with the Association of Baptist for Scouting as its National Secretary and newspaper editor. She can be found working the Duty to God booth at the BSA National Meetings. She is a shining example of what the Scouting program’s Duty to God is meant to be. She has been recognized with the Order of the Arrow Vigil Award and has served as her O.A. Lodge Advisor. She has received the Silver Beaver Award and the Baptist Good Shepard Award.

05/27/2026

Yes, you might need a power nap BUT sharing the Gospel at Jambo is worth it!! There is still time to register to help in the ABS booth. Contact Jerry Wells on the ABS web page.

05/25/2026

In our last post on religious emblems we considered the question, “Where do we all fit in the life God has for all of us?” In this final post on religious emblems we will take a look at what some of those answers to that question might be. This post is part 2 for the God and Life emblem. Recall that the The God and Life emblem is designed to help youth understand their call to a life of discipleship. Our last post for this emblem looked at the goals, this post will explore the components. Recall as well that this emblem’s theme builds around the life of the apostle Paul.
Here are the components:
Section 1: God Calls All Kinds of People
Section 2: God Doesn't Expect Us to Do It on Our Own
Section 3: Each of Us Must Make a Personal Response to the Call of God
Section 4: God Gives Strength to Face Adversities
Section 5: God Can Accomplish Great Things Through Those Who are Willing to Do God's Will

For more information on this emblem/award you can visit our partner PRAY Publishing at praypub.org or visit Scouting America’s website at: https://www.scouting.org/awards/religious-awards/

Available to Members of Scouting America A Scout is reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. A Scout is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion. To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed th...

05/23/2026

Prayer

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

--Hebrews 4:16

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The best prayers have often more groans than words.

--John Bunyan

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I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer.

--Charles Spurgeon

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A little boy’s prayer: “Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, and please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we’re gonna be in a big mess.”

05/21/2026

TBT:Working in concert with Boy Scouts of America, Homer "Smoky" Eggers, a young Council Executive in Tyler, Texas, was the first and only full time staff with significant Scouting AND local Baptist church involvement to be enjoined by ABS. Since his passing ABS has been facilitated completely by volunteers. Smoky's contribution was not only significant but inspiring and laid the groundwork for today's ABS Scouters who have found we need 4 volunteers to equal one Smoky!!

05/19/2026

An Eagle Scout from the Past (With Parent Permission-Photos to come later)

Eagle Scout Ashley Fosburg

In Spring 2025, the Association of Baptist for Scouting recognized Eagle Scout Ashley Fosburg. She is the daughter of Melissa and Craig Fosburg and was a member of Troop 316 in Crowley’s Ridge District. She was the FIRST female in Mississippi County, Arkansas and Crowley’s Ridge District to reach Eagle Scout.

For her Eagle project Ashley built three benches for the remodeled elementary school’s playground. She noticed that the kids needed a place to rest at recess.

Ashley informally joined Scouting at age 3 as a guest camper when her father joined the leadership team of another troop. She attended many functions as a guest until Boy Scouts opened their membership to female in 2019. She was among the first female in the US to achieve Scout rank.

05/17/2026

Trust

Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

--Psalms 40:4

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We cannot always trace God's hand, but we can always trust God's heart.

--Charles Spurgeon

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To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.

--George Macdonald

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A father and his son were hiking along a steep mountain trail. At the beginning of the climb, the way was easy. They were walking along throwing rocks through the trees and talking with each other. Then the path became steeper and hiking became difficult. Finally, they reached a narrow passageway. One slip and they would fall into a deep canyon.

The father said, “Son, you’d better hold my hand.”

Looking up at his father, the son replied, “No, Daddy, you hold my hand. You’re bigger than I am.”

05/15/2026

As we continue recognizing our ABS National Duty to God Recipients, another of the 2018 recipients is Donna Copeland, who was also recognized with the Silver Antelope the same year. Donna continued her stellar service in Scouting serving as a President of ABS, currently working on the Membership Subcommittee of the NRRC, leading Philmont Chapel annual refurbishment projects, and in 2025 receiving the Silver Buffalo Award!

Donna Copeland 2018 Recipient Snapshot:
She is a true servant leader and a passionate promoter of “Duty to God” in Scouting. As chair of the Training Subcommittee of the National Religious Relationship Committee, she helped develop an online chaplain training program, faith-based initiative workshops and promoted the “Duty to God” exhibit booth at BSA national meetings. She serves as vice president of the Association of Baptists for Scouting and has provided leadership for Protestant worship services at the 2017 National Jamboree, Philmont and Sea Base. She is the recipient of the Baptist Good Shepherd adult award and is actively involved in the spiritual education and development of youth at her church and as a volunteer in local public schools.

05/14/2026

Congratulations to the newest ABS National Duty to God honoree, immediate past president, John Lyon, this morning at the Duty to God breakfast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

05/13/2026

Sawmill, Black Mountain, Beaubien and more. 21 out of 23 Chapels spruced up for the summer season.

05/11/2026

Baptist Scouts BSA earned a total of 84 God & Life religious emblems for 2025!!! Thank you Star, Life & Eagle Scouts, counselors, pastors and families‼️
Note: the God & Life religious emblem is the most challenging Baptist religious emblem - Great job Scouts‼️✝️