Be prepared to share time and worship God.
Growing a Worldwide Connection: The Expanding Ministry of United Methodist Scouting
As a General Agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Commission on United Methodist Men is called to serve the worldwide connection. In Scouting Ministries, that calling is lived out by connecting, serving, and expanding opportunities for young people through partnerships that stretch across borders. Our partners see the world globally—and so do we.
This global vision is not new. It is rooted first in Jesus Christ, who commanded us to go into all the world, and second in Robert Baden-Powell, whose movement has always been international at its core. When a local church, our partners, and the Commission stand together, we form a three‑cord strand that is not easily broken. But like any strong cord, it takes time to weave.
2018 – A Vision for Global Growth
The Scouting Ministries Committee advanced a proposal to strengthen the international reach of Scouting Ministries, aligning our work with the worldwide nature of Scouting itself. A direct request for support was brought to Board President Bishop James Swanson.
2019 – World Scout Jamboree: A Global Affirmation
At the Duty to God in North America booth, global relationships deepened. One moment stood out: David Michael Baden‑Powell visited the booth, looked around, and said, “This is right on. My grandfather would be happy it is here.” A blessing from the founder’s own family.
2024 — A Year of Global Reconnection and Renewal
May — General Conference in Charlotte
Delegates from across the world renewed relationships and raised a clear question from an African delegate: “What is the Commission doing for the boychild?” The call was unmistakable.
Aug — International Partnership Building
Travel to Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland opened new doors. Connections were strengthened with:
- Wesley Scouts in Germany
- WOSM leadership
- Protect Children (advancing safe scouting)
- The Council of Protestants in Guiding and Scouting, a WOSM‑recognized consultative group with strong African leadership
October – International Safeguarding Symposium
With support from the United Methodist Men’s Foundation, leaders from four countries gathered to share research and best practices in youth protection.
Attendees included a bishop, a chancellor, district superintendents, pastors, and professionals from multiple youth‑serving fields.
A global conversation on safeguarding had begun.
2025 – Connections Deepen Across Africa
Social media networks expanded, linking us with Central Africa Conference Scouts and Scouting Ministries.
In December, the Commission hosted a conference on Men’s and Scouting Ministries, sharing learning and opportunities across diverse African contexts.
Two testimonies captured the spirit of the moment:
- Angola: “Once we announced we were going to have Scouting, the church grew.”
- Uganda: Joseph Zalambi, seen below, is a leader of the Child Crisis Center of Uganda serving 400 children. He is integrating Scouting into education programs so youth can not only survive—but thrive.
2026 — A Worldwide Ministry Takes Shape
2026 February 8th – Scout Sunday
The 2026 Scout Sunday theme and patch celebrate the global fellowship of Scouts and Guides. This ministry is not about one place—it is about the whole world.
May 7- Youth read sacred text worldwide
A weeklong global event where young people read their sacred texts, inspired by the Scouting commitment to Duty to God. Registration is open at YouthReadSacredTextsWorldwide.org.
Throughout 2026 — Expanding Resources
New materials in needed languages are being developed to strengthen the United Methodist Scouting fellowship worldwide.
August — El Salvador
Another step in a growing global network of faith, service, and youth empowerment.
Are you ready to help grow the connection?
The world is full of young people longing for hope, belonging, and purpose. When we connect churches, Scouts, and the Commission, we create a ministry that can transform lives across continents.
There is much to do—and the work is good. If we truly want to transform the world in the work of God, this is where we begin.
Go Forward
If you have not heard, the Supreme Court has ruled on the appeal against the bankruptcy settlement of the Boy Scouts of America. This means that the United Methodist settlement moves forward as well. It is time to go forward.
For those who do not know what it entails, below is some key language of the settlement.
“1. recommend participation as a member of the Survivors Working Group which currently includes Survivors, and representatives of the BSA and AHCLC;
2. recommend and encourage that all United Methodist U.S. Congregations and Entities involved with youth programming review and follow all safe sanctuary/ministry safe policies and procedures and consider all recommendations from the Survivors Working Group regarding best practices for youth protection;
3. recommend and encourage that all United Methodist Entities take any and all actions, with input from the Survivors Working Group to be necessary for enhancement of youth protection at United Methodist Entities engaged in Scouting;
4. recommend and encourage that United Methodist News Service and U.S. Annual Conferences publish a series of articles about the BSA bankruptcy and the sexual abuse of young people in denominational resources (including on-line and in print), so as to reach the broadest possible audience among all U.S. United Methodist Entities;
5. recommend and encourage all United Methodist Entities to provide each survivor who was a part of a United Methodist chartered Boy Scout Troop or Cub Pack to share their experience and suggestions and recommendations for the church with a United Methodist Leader. Leaders will be trained to listen, receive the survivors’ experience and suggestions and recommendations for the church. These suggestions and recommendations will be shared with the United Methodist BSA bankruptcy leadership team to review for incorporation in United Methodist practices and procedures to make Scouting and other ministries safe for young people; and
g. Recommend that the General Commission on United Methodist Men (GCUMM) continue to: work with the BSA and the Local Councils to improve scouting, particularly in the area of scout safety, and grow scouting ministry; carry out its duties relating to scouting ministries as mandated by The United Methodist Book of Discipline and Book of
Resolutions; and propose legislation and resolutions to the General Conference at least through the year 2036 to strengthen and grow partnerships through scouting ministries. Because of United Methodist polity, nothing in this statement shall bind a conference or
local church;”Doc 7929 – Settlement Term Sheet 4865-3071-6950
How can you help the church and Scouting find a way forward?
Matthew 10:16-31 should open our eyes to how Christ saw the risks of ministry.
“Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Berean Standard Bible)”
The simple truth is there’s much work to do and too much fear. The list of recommendations is important to justice and the witness.
Our fishtank will empty without catching new Christians. We should not be casting with lines but with nets – wide and deep. And we should be faithful, taking no fear, as we go out into the world and bring those outside in, as Christ sent those who first followed Him. We know there are wolves. That is why we train, check, watch, and the more eyes the better.
Scout Sunday Resources 2026
Scouts and Guides worldwide have celebrated Founder’s Day on February 8th. It is a day for celebrating the founding of a movement. A unique movement that youth embraced and invited their elders to join.
Baden Powell wrote a short book called Aids to Scouting for NCOs and Men in 1899. He was still serving in the military. The book was designed to teach as a non-typical training manual. Powell filled it with personal stories of intrigue and even games. The design was to build skills interestingly. It was a book of stories and games with a purpose.
But this book, designed for young recruits, captured the imagination of youth. How could they learn to track? Or camp? Or be a good Scout? Youth embraced the book as a guide to building their own path to skills and camaraderie. Then, on his return to England, BP, as he would become to be known, would be cheered and invited to lead these eager youth.
He would embrace the call and spend the following years in service and collaboration, leading to an experiment in 1907 – the first Scout Camp at Brownsea Island. From there he published the man-sized scouting skills into a youth-sized opportunity: Scouting for Boys.
And so, it began. A movement of youth seeking skills, friendship, and purpose. It is still that today. When you see the patches, uniform, or think of flag ceremonies, stop to reflect on what the founder of scouting said.
“Let us, therefore, in training our Scouts, keep the higher aims in the forefront, not let ourselves become too absorbed in the steps. Don’t let the technical outweigh the moral. (Things like) field efficiency, backwoodsmanship, camping, hiking, good turns, jamboree comradeship are all means, not the end. The end is character with a purpose. And that purpose (is) that the next generation may be sane in an insane world, and develop the higher realisation of service, active service of Love, and Duty to God and neighbour.”
Let’s gather in the church to celebrate the courage to learn character in a driven, tossed-about world. We celebrate that God calls us to a life in holiness and service. These principles are the heart of the scouting movement.
The Scout Sunday Bulletin is available for download. Use it as you will to share this special celebration with your Scouts.
Methodist Scout and Guide Sunday Patch 2026
Ideas for Scout Sunday
The holiday season is in full swing. Pastors, worship leaders, and the church will be hopping. It is a wonderful time of the year. Spend it with family and friends, and make new ones as you serve.
When January comes, prepare for a community celebration: Scout Sunday. Feb. 8th, 2026, is the official Scout Sunday for The United Methodist Church. Though context and commitments make it a day that can be celebrated whenever the church agrees.
A Troop in Springfield joins their church on the first Sunday of February, as the Pastor has seen the vision. “We celebrate on the first Sunday as Scouts serve. Any Scout who wants to help with communion is welcome to serve.” Watching Scouts in uniform offer the means of grace to the church and community is a heart-stirring witness.
Here are some other ideas for how Scouts can join the joy of a Sunday worship.
Scouting Ministries 
