Building Women of Integrity

by Pastor Tom Anderson

Recently Thrive Church became the charter organization for a troop of American Heritage Girls being organized by Bonnie Walworth. I am really enthusiastic about this troop becoming a vital Christian ministry in our church in alignment with our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ! If you have school age-girls (K through 12) in your life, contact Bonnie to see about getting them involved in the launch of this troop!

American Heritage Girls (AHG) was founded by a group of parents wanting a faith-based, scout-type character development program for their daughters in 1995. Since its start in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio, AHG has grown from 10 Troops and 100 Members to over 50,000 members across 15 countries and 50 states.

The AHG Program is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. AHG girls across the nation and the globe participate in badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences, all with an emphasis on Christian values and family involvement. There are thousands of volunteer members across the country helping girls to grow in their faith, cultivate a heart for service, enjoy the great outdoors, and have more fun than they can imagine.

The mission of AHG is “Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.” The oath is this: “I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country, and serve in my community.” The creed is this: “As an American Heritage Girl, I promise to be compassionate, helpful, honest, loyal, perseverant, pure, resourceful, respectful, responsible, and reverent.”

American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered leadership and character development ministry. The following Statement of Faith applies to all American Heritage Girls’ Charter Organizations and Adult Members.

“We believe that there is one Triune God–Father; Jesus Christ, His one and only Son; and the Holy Spirit–Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We believe each person is created in His image for the purpose of communing with and worshipping God. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Who enables us to live godly lives. We believe that each individual is called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength; and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We believe God calls us to lives of purity, service, stewardship, and integrity.”

Clarity is further provided to the following terms:

Purity–God calls us to lives of holiness, being pure of heart, mind, word, and deed. We are to reserve sexual activity to the sanctity of marriage; a lifelong commitment before God between a man and a woman.
Service–God calls us to become responsible members of our community and the world through selfless acts that contribute to the welfare of others.
Stewardship–God calls us to use our God-given time, talents, and money wisely.
Integrity–God calls us to live moral lives that demonstrate an inward motivation to do what is right, regardless of the cost.