Faith Over Fear

Natural Disasters. School shootings. Global pandemics. We live in a world consumed with fear. So how are we to teach our girls to live lives of joy when we're surrounded by a crushing reality?

Those entrusted by God to raise His girls are called to rise above the world and live in hope. We are each called to be light in darkness, hope in despair. We need to put faith over fear.

IT’S TIME TO SUIT UP

Girls today, especially our Pioneers and Patriots, are fully aware and scared of all that’s happening in our world. It’s time we step up, suit them up with the armor of God, and equip them to face the world as a spiritual battleground each day. Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV gives us the blueprint for the armor of God: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

FINDING GOD IN THE DARKNESS

Barna Group and Impact 360’s 2018 Gen Z Study titled “Gen Z: The Culture, Beliefs, and Motivations Shaping the Next Generation” found that more than any generation before, members of Generation Z (those born between 1999 and 2015, according to the researchers) are self-identifying as atheist. In fact, they’re doing so at twice the rate of the general population. The most noted reason for this lack of faith in God: “I have a hard time believing that a good God would allow so much evil or suffering in the world.”

The majority of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, the newly-dubbed term for those born between 2010 through 2024, have never lived in a world where the United States is at peace. Their world has always been in strife, having been born in the age of fear caused by 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and gun violence. Parents who grew up in an America where Christianity was the norm are faced with the reality that if they don’t intentionally seek out ways to help their daughters foster their relationship with God, the culture won’t do it for them. Girls need to learn about the overwhelming love of God, and how the schemes of the enemy try to veil it from humankind.

GIVING PARENTS THE TOOLS

Raising a Godly girl who is able to spread God’s love in our broken world is easier said than done. AHG thinks no parent should have to go it alone. Raising Godly Girls® is an AHG initiative to give Christian parents the tools they need to do so. Through blog posts and radio features playing on Christian radio stations across the country, Patti Garibay and the American Heritage Girls team are giving Scripture-based advice and teachings on how to handle issues facing kids today like anxiety, doubt, and grief.

FACING THE EVERY DAY FEARS

Aside from the fear-inducing stories we hear on the news, our girls come up against challenges each day that require grit, resiliency, and faith. From standing up to the bully at school to tackling an oral presentation in front her whole class—your girl is facing some serious obstacles. American Heritage Girls is giving girls a fun, safe, Spirit-filled place to build their faith and grow in resiliency. There are elements of the program that on a surface level seem like simple run-of-the-mill scouttype traditions, but when put through the lens of a Christ-centered program, it all becomes so much more meaningful.

“DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. YOU BELIEVE IN GOD; BELIEVE ALSO IN ME.”

-JOHN 14:1, NIV

Join AHG in putting faith over fear. How will American Heritage Girls bring light to the darkness in your community? Share your service project stories, tales of overcoming fears, and evangelistic efforts with the AHG, Inc. team today. (http://bit.ly/AHGphoto)

Badgework can be a great deal of fun, yes, but what about the requirements that she doesn’t want to complete? Of course, there will be times in her academic or professional future where she won’t want to do the task at hand. But an American Heritage Girl who’s already tackled the challenging process of putting in the work? She knows how to ask for help, pray for wisdom, and believe in herself. She’s a woman of integrity who can rely on God and her perseverance to get the job done.

Boards of Review can feel like an unnecessarily formal process for such young girls. But public speaking in front of a panel of adults as young as eight years old? Or praying in front of the whole Troop? Or leading the National Anthem at a community event? They’re opportunities for growth that most kids wouldn’t dream of attempting. AHG gives girls the safe, nurturing environment to overcome their fears and make it happen.

FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH

It’s commonly understood that children who participate in faith-based programming in their youth are more likely to remain engaged Christians in adulthood. According to Barna Research findings, what we believe at the age of 13 is likely what we will die believing. If we want our girls to know Christ, we need to make sure they are given ample time and space to develop their faith in their foundational years.

When Patti Garibay, Founder & Executive Director of American Heritage Girls, felt God’s tugging in 1995 to leave her beloved Girl Scouts USA behind, it was on her foundation of faith that she was able to do so. In direct response to the moral-relativism that plagued the world, Patti stood out in faith with fellow concerned parents and made their own scout-type ministry to disciple their girls. Hundreds of thousands of accomplished alumnae, developed leaders, and changed communities later, it’s safe to say that American Heritage Girls is making a difference thanks to a Christ-centered foundation of faith. You can read more about Patti’s story, the founding of AHG, and the power God’s faithfulness through it all in her new book, Why Curse the Darkness When You Can Light a Candle, available for pre-order on Amazon.