Monday Rally Report


Monday evening's rally was a great opener to what has already begun as a great week at Eagle Rock Campground.  As the gates opened, the Ozark hills were already ringing with the praise of Jesus as Cruz Control, the Camporama 2006 worship band lifted His name high.

The service officially opened with the traditional pageantry of the Parade of Flags.  To rounds of applause, proud representatives carried the flag of each district flag into Stutsman Amphitheater.  The crowd's applause grew louder as the international delegates from Mexico, Russia, Sweden, Germany and the Dominican Republic presented their countries' flags.

As the crowd rose to its feet in respect, the color guard ushered the American, Christian and Royal Rangers flags to the platform.  It was announced that the American flag being presented had been flown over Iraq in an F-15 fighter jet for Southern New England District Commander Burt Weiner by his Air Force pilot son-in-law.

General Superintendent Thomas E. Trask was in attendance and greeted the thousands of young men assembled on the hillside.  He recognized and praised the many volunteer leaders who make Royal Rangers available in churches everywhere.

After some great worship music from Cruz Control, Tom Greene, national director of Light for the Lost and Men's Ministries began to speak from his heart.  He shared from the story of David and Goliath and pointed out how King Saul criticized David for his youth.  Many in the crowd could relate to his words as he noted the times that young people are told that they can't do something because they are too young.

Greene turned that opinion around by noting that it is precisely the fact that they were young that would make it possible for them to do the incredible.  "Young men dream of the impossible," he said, "and as they grow into older men, their goals become less and less ambitious."

He encouraged the crowd to harness that ambition to change the world and put it into action while they are still young.

Greene told that crowd that he understands that many in attendance feel like "losers", but that the altar is the place for losers.  It is there that people lose their bondages, they lose their problems, they lose their bad habits.

Even though the hour was late and many were tired from a long day of setting up camp, a large number came forward to pray at the altar area, both to give their lives to Christ for the first time and also to recommit themselves to Him.

The crowd was dismissed to return to their campsites, looking forward to more great evening services during the rest of Camporama week.


Royal Rangers