Royal Rangers

Royal Rangers is a worldwide ministry of the Assemblies of God and is designed to provide youth with challenging activities while providing them with Christian instruction. Royal Rangers International is open to participation of both boys and girls, while the US only allows boy participation in chartered outposts. A camping theme has traditionally been at the heart of most activities, although other non-camping activities are included as well. The new areas of focus are: outdoors, drama/arts, technology, sports, trades, or ministry. An outpost or boy may choose any of the six foci or combination thereof as his primary skill focus. The new philosophy of Royal Rangers includes flexibility in regards to skill focus, uniforms, etc is dubbed, "Royal Rangers 2.0" at LEAD conference 2012 to indicate a clear distinction between the previous outdoors-focused version and the new version that includes many areas of focus.

The program includes a merit award system whereby Royal Rangers must demonstrate specific knowledge and abilities. This ministry was developed by North Texas Youth Director Rev. John Henry "Johnnie" Barnes in 1962, and since then it has spread from the Assemblies of God to many other denominations (notably the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and Church of God - Cleveland, TN) and from the United States to over 86 countries. The stated purpose of Royal Rangers USA is to "Evangelize, Equip, and Empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders." The main mission of the Royal Rangers is to "Reach, Teach, and Keep" boys for Jesus Christ.