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National Commander, Richard Mariott, Speaks at '04 PowWow
The boys of outpost 106 put their game faces on as they prepare for the Hillbilly Relay Races during the 2004 Mississippi District PowWow. |
Mississippi District Royal Rangers held its 34th annual Pow-Wow on June 11-13, 2004 at Ranger Trails Camp located just south of Jackson in Terry, MS. Royal Rangers is a national ministry to boys by the Assemblies of God designed to reach, teach and keep boys for Jesus Christ. More than 320 boys and men representing some 31 churches from across the state joined together for the 3- day camp. The camp features many activities for boys including setting up campsites, outdoor games, swimming, rifle and archery shooting, and exciting services in the amphitheater. Each group sets-up its on campsite using lashing projects, tents and cooking area, cut and chop area, and entranceways. The campsites are graded and trophies awarded for the best setup. The theme was Hillbilly Hoedown.
Richard Mariott,
National Royal Rangers Commander |
The special guest speaker for PowWow was National Royal Rangers Commander, Richard Mariott, from Springfield, MO. Commander Mariott travels all over the United States and many other countries promoting Royal Rangers. Richard has a vision and a passion to see every boy in this nation have the opportunity to hear a clear presentation of the gospel. Many boys responded to the Friday and Saturday evening messages.
 Outpost began arriving on Friday and worked on setting up their campsites. An afternoon swim gave the boys and leaders an opportunity to cool off before the evening service. District Commander, Wesley Harmon, greeted campers during the assembly. He introduced the guest speaker and the staff.
 “This year’s camp went very well,” said Wesley. “I think everyone gave a sigh of relief that it didn’t rain, even though it had been predicted. The greatest thing about PowWow though is seeing the boys respond to the alter calls. Our services are very unique in that we provide a lot of fun and interaction with the boys and then the gospel is presented. Commander Mariott did a great job relating to the boys and they responded.”
 The members of the Frontiersmen’s Camping Fellowship (FCF) put on the Friday evening “Council Fire Service”. It featured skits, singing and even some dancing! FCF President elect, David “PB Bull” Giddens, conducted a sort of kangaroo court that produced many laughs.
The morning devotions, brought by Commander Mariott, kicked off Saturday’s activities. Following the devotions the boys returned to their campsites for breakfast. The morning outpost competition trophy games divided the boys into two groups. The 9-12 year old boys got together for Hillbilly Relay Races while the 13 and up boys played Dixie Feud. Hillbilly Relay Races consisted of 4 legs beginning with tire rolling, followed by wheelbarrow, three-legged sack race, and Mississippi chariot race. Boys tried to make through a course without getting hit by a tennis ball in the Dixie Feud. Points were earned by reaching each barrier along the course.
 The camp was split into three groups for the rest of the day’s activities: Swimming, Rifle and Archery, and Hillbilly Games. Frequent visits to Fuzzybear’s Snack Shack were also included in the boys’ schedule. The games included Hillbilly Baseball which the boys tried to hit a potato as it fell out of a tube. The boys also enjoyed steer lassoing and cow chip toss.
 To top off the afternoon activities, the Frontiersmen’s Camping Fellowship Village provided a place for the boys to get a feel for rendezvous life. They traded trinkets with the FCF members and enjoyed watermelon and frontier style food.
The Saturday evening theme pageant depicted two hillbillies’, Ricky Flynt as Eb and Kelvin Dykes as Flow, journey to find “the power”. The opening act began with Eb sitting in an outhouse which had been equipped with a satellite dish. Their journey took them to a church scene where Kenny Richardson sang the funny story of a preacher who went hunting on Sunday. Finally they ended up in a general store where what the store keep thought they were looking for “pepper” turned out to be toilet “pepper”. Turning to the serious part of the pageant, once again the message was brought by National Commander, Richard Mariott. He related learning to deal with situations in his life that required the power of the Holy Spirit. The boys responded and many received the infilling of the Holy Spirit for the first time.
Sunday services were held with Commander Bruce Pepper speaking to the boys and Commander Mariott talked to the leaders. The awards ceremony and presentation of the trophies followed the services.
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