The Royal Ambassadors is the name of a Baptist worldwide missionary organization for boys between the ages of 10 and 35 – an international organization found in many countries of the world, wherever there are Baptists. It is found on the continents of Adrica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. The organization in Nigeria is called Royal Ambassadors of Nigeria (RAN).
In its mission education and ministry plan, RAN has a foundational Christian education plans for Junior RA, boys between the ages of 10 and 12; basic discipleship plans for Intermediate RA, boys from age 13 to 16 (or Secondary School age); and solid mission education and action plans for Senior RA, who are boys within ages 17 and 24.
The vision and work of Royal Ambassadors started in the United States of America in 1908 among the Brotherhood Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), USA; and came to Nigeria as one of the world’s leading organizations for boys through the SBC missionaries in the 1920s.
The Women Missionary Union sponsored the organization from the beginning until 1954 when it was proposed that the men of the Nigerian Baptist Convention should take over the boys’ work. The situation led to the proposal of Men and Boys’ Department in 1961 which served both men and boys, then later became the defunct Men’s Missionary Union & Youths Department, now known as Missionary Organizations Department since 1998.
At the Naional level, Royal Ambassadors National Executive Committee (RANEC) comprises of elected national officers of the organization only; while the National Executive Council (NEC) includes all Conference RA Directors. The RA Marshal is the presiding officer in all meetings (of executives or general sessions). But the council cooperates with the MMU NEC through an advisory representative.
RA Council Adviser; and operates from the MMU Office, Baptist Building, Ibadan through a denominational/administrative head of the unit. (NOTE: The setup of the RA NEC, as above, is replicated at conference and associational levels.)
To the glory of God, RAN now exists in all Baptist associations, conferences and the Convention, and is spreading its missions’ advancement tentacles to the West African sub-regions.
VISIONS, GOALS AND CARDINAL OBJECTIVES
OUR VISION
Touching the lives of boys … impacting the eternity of men!
OUR FOUNDING GOALS
To become well informed, responsible follower of Christ.
To have Christ-like concern for all people.
To carry the message of Christ around the world.
To work with others in sharing Christ.
To keep myself clean and healthy in mind and body.
OUR CARDINAL OBJECTIVES
Helping boys in spiritual development and discipleship.
Equipping members for mission action.
Ensuring educational and career development of boys.
Promoting social awareness, responsibility and responsiveness.
Promoting personal commitment demonstrated in stewardship of life, churchmanship and denominational interest, and understanding as well as appreciation of Baptist beliefs and practices.
Enabling members’ personality, potentiality, and dignity development.