“I grew up in Royal Ambassadors, and when I'd go to the RA camps every summer, I'd always look forward to seeing the staffers. They are some people that I used to look up to, and I always wanted to be like them.”
D.J. Peña, 17, sits facing a circle with three other veteran Royal Ambassador State Staffers, each sharing why he feels called to lead younger boys in several RA summer camps this year. Peña, a member of Fellowship Church in Houston, is serving his fourth year as a staffer.
“I always thought that they were really cool,” he continued, “and I thought, ‘I want to do that one day.’ It’s why I’m here today. I want to set an example for them.”
Peña is one of a cohort of RA state staffers — high-school age young men — who lead at RA summer camps this summer. Before the first camp they attended a week-long RA Leadership Training Camp. At LTC, veteran staffers held their own training, while other groups contained first-year and potential state staffers. Also, adult leaders received additional leadership training.
Savion Lee, Royal Ambassador coordinator for Texans on Mission, said LTC is an annual event that “seeks to allow Christ to shape and sharpen men for his Kingdom's work. LTC provides opportunities for young men and men to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and encourages them to share with one another as iron sharpens iron,” he added, quoting from Proverbs 27:17.
Lee said the ministry of staffers is, in particular, “to just be an approachable person for boys, young men and campers to be able to hear the Gospel. And so that's like being an older brother or a friend. If there's a camper that has questions or is going through something, these young men are a person they can lean on for prayer and wisdom, and to hear the good news about what Jesus offers.”
Veteran staffers Miguel Chavez and Walker Derrick echoed Peña’s response.
“I want to show the kids Jesus’ love, especially those who might be a little bit outside of the (popularity) circle, the in-group,” said Chavez, of Stonegate Fellowship in Midland.
“I want to share Christ,” said Derrick, a member of First Baptist Church in Hempstead. “Before LTC I had a (Christian) testimony, but I didn't know how to explain it. This camp helps you explain it, so that definitely makes it easier when you come across a kid who's interested in Jesus. You can share your testimony and help connect with them.”
Samuel Saenz, a member of Mid-Cities Church between Midland and Odessa, said he volunteered because of a particular moment at his first camp as a staffer. “Just seeing the impact that I had on the kids and that how what I was doing was worth it. Just helping bring more to Jesus.”
Adult leader Paul Shirley, business administrator at Calvary Baptist Church in Lubbock, is a long-time leader and trainer at LTC. He said the LTC experience prepares young men to be “a great asset” for Christ.
“I’ve had the privilege to see these young men grow in their faith in the Lord, to be servants of the Lord, to go out into summer camps and use the skills and the crafts that we have instilled in them, to go out and help assist camp directors at RA camps all across the state,” Shirley said.
“They get to also take these leadership skills back to their churches and their youth groups and their families back home,” he added. “So these guys, the RA state staffers, are a great asset to the camp directors. We spend all year planning and prepping for camp and without these guys out here, camp doesn't go as well.”
While LTC focuses on training young men, there’s also a component for adults. Ben Chavez, a bivocational pastor and 29-year veteran of the Midland Police Department, said the camp had helped him experience “a spiritual journey.”
“I think one of the greatest things I’m taking away is opening up my faith again,” said Chavez. “I started as an RA when I was 5 years old, and I thought I knew everything about RAs. And when I came here to LTC my goal was to become a better leader.
“When I showed up, I didn't know what to expect. I was a little apprehensive, but then I met my leader, Brother Hadley (Foster) and I felt like I was back in the police academy being directed by a very strict sergeant. But with time, Brother Hadley showed he was a man of God who opened my eyes to really restoring … my faith again, you know, to put me back on track to seeking God's direction.”
“So it's been something wonderful,” he added. “I think the greatest experience I’ve had here is being on a spiritual journey.”
