Where Are They Now: RA Todd Payne
The legacy of Royal Ambassadors (est. 1908), Girls in Action (est. 1913, formerly Girls’ Auxiliary), and more recently Children in Action (est. 1995) is generations of men and women who have entered the missions field, stepped into leadership in their local church, pursued God in their workplaces, and made their homes places of refuge and worship for their families and neighbors.
In it all, they are disciples who make disciples because they were taught at a young age about God’s Great Commission and the responsibility of all believers to “Go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20 NIRV).
Where Are They Now is a series dedicated to these men and women. They inspire us at WMU, SBC, and remind us that God’s words do not return to Him without producing results. They accomplish exactly what He sends them to do (Is. 55:11). We hope you are encouraged, too, leader! If you know someone who has a story to share, please send them this link where they can submit their stories: tinyurl.com/wherearetheynowform.
Royal Ambassadors: Todd Payne
Todd Payne is an RA from the West Tennessee town of Bolivar, the county seat of Hardeman County situated on the Hatchie River.
His favorite RA experience was Royal Ambassadors Camp-o-Ree at Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden, Tennessee. “I loved waking up to reveille, eating at the mess hall, studying the Bible, memorizing Scripture, singing the Royal Ambassador song, learning about missionaries, and learning to do archery and canoeing,” he recalls. “It was an absolute blast!”
Camp-o-Ree has been a staple of Royal Ambassadors life for the states of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi since 1972. It is designed specifically for boys and youth in RA and Challengers in grades 1–12. The activities at the camp are designed to help children discover the saving grace of Christ while also learning the importance of leadership, mentorship, and missions. Boys are given the opportunity to appreciate the outdoors and build strong Christian relationships.
Todd said, “My time in RA instilled in me the understanding that our mission here on earth is about far more than me. We are commanded to follow the Great Commission and adhere to the Great Commandment of loving God and loving others.”
Today, Todd is the regional manager of Bott Radio Network in Memphis, Tennessee. The station provides quality Bible teaching, Christian news, and information 24 hours a day. He is also a deacon at his local church: Trinity Baptist in Cordova, Tennessee.
Todd shares that so much of life is about learning and growing, and there is nothing more important to learn that will help children grow than the Word of God. “An essential part of GA/RA/CA is the study of Scripture — never diminish [its] importance,” he counsels. He adds that it’s very important to study church history and the heroes and martyrs of the faith. “Through studying these men and women, children can learn from their challenges, trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Learning and applying these lessons can help [their] faith grow,” he says.
Encouraging leaders, he says, “Continue to keep the faith. Continue working with the churches that have these programs, and be ready to expand these ministries to interested churches.”
