In 2018, Mountaineer Area Council selected Scott Hanson as their new Scout Executive. Scott had no idea what the next four years of serving would bring. His commitment to Scouting and growing the opportunity to serve youth has been a strong force for partnership.
The West Virginia United Methodist Men have hosted the Circuit Rider for 32 years. It is the largest West Virginia Conference gathering of youth. This year over 300 youth and their leaders attended the Jackson Mill event. Even with some dropped units due to Covid, the event was a great restart of the Scouting and United Methodist partnership.
The event reflected the commitment of the United Methodist Church and the Mountaineer Council to a future for youth. Conversations today surround how to stay connected. With Scott’s leadership and the conference commitment, conversations were about growth and opportunities for the Scouts. The relationship with the council is already on solid ground.
This year, each unit was encouraged to utilize the Circuit Rider as a recruiting tool by inviting up to four Scout-age guests. The West Virginia United Methodist Men paid the Scout unit $25 for each Scout-age guest who attended, up to $100 per unit.
Now think about that. What if all Councils decided serving youth was the mission first? The United Methodist Men respond to that kind of mission with commitment.
I am grateful for the way West Virginia leads! Scout on in faith!
Matthew 18:4-6 (NIV)
“4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Community Outreach Youth Ministries 
I am curious whether Mountaineer Area Council embraced the affiliation agreement process so their UMC’s could remain in this strong partnership?
LikeLike