Heritage Headlines Magazine Spring 2024-Charter Spotlight

HERITAGEHEADLINES

BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RESILIENT LEADERS THROUGH AHG

ALUMNASPOTLIGHT

Grace, a Name and a Mindset Every Step of the Way

B adgework Builds Competent Girls with a Biblical Worldview

A 96-Mile Hike And a Lifetime of Memories GIRL STORIES UNSHAKEABLE:

CHARTER ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT

EAST SIDE BAPTIST CHURCH

TX3120

KILLEEN, TEXAS

This issue, AHG is excited to shine a light on East Side Baptist Church in Killeen, TX, home to TX3120. Charter Representative Amber Freeman and Troop Coordinator Jessica Quinn reflect on three years of chartering an AHG Troop at their church and the significant impact AHG has had on their faith community.

ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPACTFUL FORCE IN THE WELL-BEING OF AN AHG TROOP IS THE CHARTER ORGANIZATION.

Every Troop is owned by a Charter Organization, which is typically a church, school, or similarly-aligned Christian organization. Without the support of their Charter Organization, an AHG Troop would not exist. When the Charter Organization and Charter Representative are involved beyond simply providing meeting space, the AHG Ministry can have an incredible impact on the outreach of the organization.

Amber Freeman

WHY DID YOUR CHURCH DECIDE TO CHARTER AN AHG TROOP?

Our church decided to charter an American Heritage Girls Troop along with a Trail Life Troop because we are nestled in the heart of Texas next to one of largest military installations in the world, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood). We realized that our nearest Troops were quite a drive away and with such a large population of soldiers with young families looking for Christ-centered, family-oriented programs it seemed like God was really laying it on the heart of our church to bring American Heritage Girls and Trail Life to our community.

HOW MANY YEARS HAS YOUR CHURCH HAD AN AHG TROOP?

Our Troop has been here and active for three years now.

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN GROWTH IN YOUR YOUTH/FAMILY/WOMEN’S MINISTRY PROGRAMMING SINCE CHARTERING AN AHG TROOP?

We are a young Troop, and having over 100 kids grace our front step once a week has brought a renewed life to some of our other ministries. Our Women on Mission’s efforts to support the local Hope Pregnancy Center have nearly tripled with the cooperation of our amazing American Heritage Girls. The efforts of our girls towards Operation Christmas Child have created a wonderful problem of needing more vehicles to get all the boxes transported. Ministry and outreach in the community from East Side Baptist Church through American Heritage Girls has been truly inspiring.

HOW ELSE HAS AHG AFFECTED YOUR ORGANIZATION’S MINISTRY EFFORTS?

The girls have been a real inspiration to our organization. These girls have such sweet smiling faces and joy-filled hearts as they volunteer in the community, representing East Side Baptist Church in our local Christmas parade by creating a living (and glowing!) nativity scene. I think one of the most impactful things they do in our community is taking care of the Veterans Cemetery. Placing American Flags on the graves for Memorial Day and wreaths at Christmas time along with their brother Trail Life troop. Showing their community how much they care for those who gave their all for our country is a remarkable ministry and to do so selflessly is an incredible testament to our Lord who gave it all for us.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER POTENTIAL CHARTER ORGANIZATIONS LOOKING TO CHARTER AN AHG TROOP?

Everyone is out there trying to find a tribe. If you want to create an unforgettable group of passionate people, be the tribe they are looking for. We aren’t looking for people to fill seats, we are looking for friends and sisters in Christ to fill up the hearts of young girls and you need people that are just as passionate about it as you are!

For more information on the chartering process, visit americanheritagegirls.org/start-a-troop/charter-organizations

Charter Organizations serve a crucial role in the AHG Ministry, as they own and operate AHG Troops. Though volunteers implement the AHG Program, the Charter Organization is able to customize their AHG Troop to best accomplish their ministry goals.

For more information on the chartering process, americanheritagegirls.org/start-a-troop/charter-organizations

The relationship between a Charter Organization and its Troop is designed to be a partnership. As a ministry partner, the AHG Troop serves as an extension of the Charter Organization. AHG values the role of the Charter Organization in the AHG Ministry as they are the “owners” of their Troop.