BRING YOUTH TO CHRIST THROUGH A SCOUTING MINISTRY
Baptist Reaching, Teaching, & Ministering to Children, Youth, & Families
BRING YOUTH TO CHRIST THROUGH A SCOUTING MINISTRY
Baptist Reaching, Teaching, & Ministering to Children, Youth, & Families
Bridging Faith and Service: John Lyon Receives the 2026 National Duty to God Award
Scouting America is honored to announce John Lyon as a recipient of the 2026 National Duty to God Award. This recognition celebrates those who demonstrate an exemplary history of transformational leadership in promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting.
An Eagle Scout and a 25-year member of Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, John has spent decades ensuring that "Duty to God" is a lived experience for youth. As the former President of the Association of Baptists for Scouting, he has been a "go-to" leader for national events, including organizing the religious emblem recipients for the Duty to God Breakfast at National Annual Meetings and leading inter-religious dialogue testing for the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).
John is a true champion of interfaith inclusion. In the Atlanta Area Council, he successfully expanded the Religious Relationships Committee to include Muslim, Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and various Protestant representatives, while actively working to bring Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh voices to the table. His work transcends boundaries; he has been honored with the Baptist Silver Good Shepherd, the Methodist Cross and Flame, the Catholic Bronze Pelican, and the Islamic Committee’s Service to Humanity for World Peace award.
Beyond policy, John’s impact is personal. He has taught religious emblem classes to over 190 youth and is known for his "Christ-centered presence," even providing life-saving assistance to a fellow Scouter during the 2019 World Jamboree.
Please join us in congratulating John Lyon for his tireless dedication to building bridges of faith across the Scouting movement.
Refurb Philmont Chapels
May 6 - 10, 2026
Cimarron, NM
Scouting America National Annual Meeting
May 11 - 16, 2026
Irving, Texas
National Jamboree
July 22 - 31, 2026
Summit Bechtel Reserve, WV
Thanks to the hard work of a number of volunteers over the past few years, the Chapel Refurbishment Week has become part of the annual calendar at Philmont Scout Ranch. The largest representation each year has come from the Associator of Baptists for Scouting team led by Donna Copeland. In 2025, due to extreme weather and muddy and/or snow packed roads, work was done at just two backcountry camps (one required a four-mile hike, one way, to access.) But extensive work was accomplished at the headquarters chapels. During the summer season two new chapel sites were established at Apache Springs and Dan Beard camps.
May 6-10 are the dates for the 2026 event and the assignment is even more aggressive than last year. Work is planned for every current chapel. The 2026 work team is almost full, but you are encouraged to contact Donna Copeland dcopeland@baptistscouters.orgwho will again coordinate the ABS team if you are interested in future opportunities. A completed medical form is required plus the ability to carry tools and work at altitudes to 10,000 feet. The size of the entire group is limited by accommodation and logistical considerations, so act soon if you are interested.
The Association of Baptist for Scouting (ABS) will have exhibit space at the Scouting America National Jamboree in the Duty to God and Country Exhibit Area. We are expecting 20,000 scouts at the Jamboree plus staff. This is a wonderful opportunity for ABS to practice our mission to “BRING YOUTH TO CHRIST THROUGH A SCOUTING MINISTRY” by sharing the Gospel with every scout who spends time in our exhibit space. The Duty to God and Country Exhibit Area will encourage scouts to spend time at several if not all exhibits in the area. Last Jamboree they did this with an Escape Room and a Patch for those who completed a set of requirements.
Our ABS exhibit’s biggest draw was our youth staff. Jamboree scouts really listened to our youth staff and our staff did a great job interacting with the scouts. Our exhibit has five stations; Religious Emblems Program, what Baptist believe, make your own Salvation bracelet, prayer corner and the ABS Ministry. Typically one of our adult staff members will talk to the scouters about the ABS Ministry while the youth staff will take a group of scouts through the other four stations. You can learn more about each of these stations on our website at; https://baptistscouters.org/jamboree
We still need you on our staff. We are looking for both youth (18-20) and adult staff for our Jamboree Exhibit. We are offering to pay the Jamboree staff registration fee for our Youth staff. Contact Jerry Wells jerry.wells@me.com for details and approval. The Jamboree dates are Wednesday, July 22, 2026 to Friday, July 31, 2026 at Summit Bechtel Reserve, Glen Jean, West Virginia. https://jamboree.scouting.org
Staff dates are July 19-31,2026.
This 2025 year will soon come to a close and 2026 will begin. Even though it is many months away the planning for the 2026 National Jamboree scheduled for late July 2026 is already well underway. More than 20,000 Scouts and Scouters are expected to attend this major Scouting event at the Summit Bechtel Reserve near Glen Jean, WV. Scouts from across the nation (and around the world) will come together for ten days of adventure and fun — for many it will be the highlight of their Scouting experience.
When this many people come together the need for chaplains is crucial for providing emotional and spiritual care during everything from minor injuries to hospital trips, homesickness, conflict resolution, or (sadly) learning of some loss at home. In each of these circumstances the chaplaincy team is available to provide support, encouragement, prayer, and a ministry of presence. In addition, there will be many chapel services provided throughout the Jamboree. These chapel services in the past have seen thousands in attendance for worship and celebration. Duty to God remains a crucial part of Scouting and nowhere is this as obvious as it is with the ministry of chaplaincy.
Chaplains come from many faith groups — 40 chaplains, representing a dozen or so different faith groups — reflecting the diversity of beliefs and practices of those attending the Jamboree. As has been typical in the past, several Association of Baptists for Scouting members are represented among this group of chaplains. Ted Spangenberg, Jeff Thompson, and Thomas Martin will be onsite at the Jamboree to labor in chaplaincy ministry throughout the event. There are spots for more, particularly for Chaplain Assistants who are studying for vocational ministry or otherwise.
If you are able, please consider going to the Jamboree to serve in whatever capacity possible. If you can’t go, pray that our Lord will be honored and worshiped. Or give that others might go in your place. The ABS ministry is made possible as we commit ourselves to dutifully serve as commanded in the Great Commission.
Read about some of our Eagle Scouts and their Eagle Projects. For example, Noah’s Eagle Project involved building three woodened crosses and creating three flower beds around them at his home church, Philadelphia Baptist church in Marshville, North Carolina. The area is a reminder to the community of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for our sins.
Parents and troop leaders can request a letter of congratulations from the ABS President by emailing us at president@baptistscouters.org .
ABS Today September 2025
Welcome to the Associaon of Bapsts for Scoung (ABS) Newsleer - a communicaon intended to help you remain current on acvies of the ABS. Please share with other Scouters and consider supporng these efforts with your me, talents and treasure. It is only through the dedicaon of Bapst Scouters like you that ABS can expand efforts throughout this great land. More than ever our world needs the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our young people in Scouting deserve it.
PLANNING RETREAT
NATIONAL JAMBOREE
DUTY TO GOD AWARDS
NEW MEMBERS
1150 Hilfiker Lane SE
Salem, OR 97302