Date: October 9-11th Location: Yards Creek Boy Scouts Camp, Blairstown, NJ Attendance: over 20 men and boys from 6 outposts (OP15, OP50, OP76, OP88, OP96, OP136) in our Sections; over 70 from the NJ District, John Fenwick Chapter. Approximately 400 total attendance from the region. Guest Speaker: Rev. John “Thohate” Maracle, Chief/President of the Native American Fellowship (NAF) of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, representing the constituency of 190 American Indian and Alaska native churches, and three Bible colleges that serve native people across the United States, including Alaska. He is a Mohawk Indian from the Iroquois Confederacy in New York State, and the first Native American tribal member to be elected to the General Council Executive Presbytery. He currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Friday Evening Worship Service: worship was delivered in an unexpected fashion with a modern overhead screen and PowerPoint slides, with modern guitarists, drummers, and vocalists (dressed in Frontiersmen outfits of course). This change was a response from the regional and national leadership to the Young Bucks (teenagers) desiring contemporary worship during FCF events, and it was well received by the members. Friday Evening Message: Pastor Maracle, dressed in full Mohawk regalia (anyone who takes his picture in Mohawk dress must make a contribution to ‘Speed the Light’, a ministry he has served with for over 30 years), taught us a song in English and then in Mohawk, as follows: English I’m so happy, I’m so happy I’m so happy, happy, happy, happy, happy I’m so happy, I’m so happy That Jesus is a friend of mine. Mohawk (written phonetically) Wogaza nuni, wogaza nuni Wogaza nuni, nuni, nuni, nuni, nuni Wogaza nuni, wogaza nuni Neyazas ogardo oh Pastor Maracle’s message focused on the true meaning of Indian giving. True Indian giving is about reciprocation. When an Indian gives something from his heart or he receives a gift from someone, the type of gift doesn’t matter. What matters is the fellowship they share from reciprocal giving. He compared this to Jesus giving His life, so we could have eternal life, and what should be our reciprocal response to Him by giving Him back our lives as servants. Pastor Maracle also exhorted the membership to work together as a TEAM for Royal Rangers: Together Everyone Accomplishing Ministry. Saturday Morning Devotion: the devotion was given by our National FCF President, Paul “Grey Owl” Walters. Grey Owl’s message was whether we were Grape Gatherers, or Grape Stompers. Grape gathering men build up their wives; grape stomping men tear their wives down. Grape gathering men direct their energies towards godly things; grape stomping men direct their energies to substance abusing endeavors (drugs, alcohol, pornography, other idolatries). Grape gathering boys will take a girl to the movies, and treat her like a lady. Grape storming boys will put their arm around her and see how far he can get with her. Are we grape gatherers, or grape stompers? Competitive Events: various competitions were available including Knife Throwing, Hawk Throwing, Black Powder Muzzleloader Shooting, Primitive Bow Shooting, Horn Blowing, and the Seneca Run. In addition there was judging on Best Outfits and Best Shelters. 13 men and boys of our Chapter placed either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in these events. The highlight of the day was the inclusion of a moving knife and hawk throwing target (controlled via pulley). It was a new addition to the recreational activities that the boys thoroughly enjoyed. Saturday Evening Dinner: our Chapter partook of a pot-luck dinner together, where the members brought their items under the Chapter tent and we had a great meal collectively. Included among the many stews and chili’s were venison, rabbit, possum, raccoon, squirrel, and muskrat. Saturday Evening Message: the heart of Pastor Maracle’s message was togetherness. Working together to reach, teach, and keep boys for Christ on the local, district, regional, and national levels, and beyond. He kept on reminding us to tell our neighbor sitting next to us, “Get it Together”. Many men and boys responded to the altar call to get ourselves right with Christ, either through initial repentance, or a more committed life to Him. Sunday Morning Message: Pastor Maracle’s wrapped up his stay with us by reminding us that Jesus is Lord of everything (life, death, sickness, etc.) and is always in control. Our happiness and relationship with Him should not be determined by external circumstances, but by who He is. Nothing can happen to us without his ok, and he will not put us through anything we can not handle. He is in control! National FCF Scout Election: elections were held for Northeast Territorial Scout and National Scout. John “Rushing Wind” Lerchbacker, from OP99 in Clinton, based upon his results of the Scout competition and votes from the membership, became the new National FCF Scout from the Northeast Region. John is the first ever National Scout from the John Fenwick Chapter. Congratulations, John! Respectfully submitted, Mike “Raccoon” Collazo – NJ West Central North/South Section FCF Representative and Zach “Fireheart” Gill - NJ West Central North/South Section FCF Scout