Local residents, Sam Nance and Clay Riddle, were recognized at Texas Royal Ambassadors and Challengers Mission Rally this past Saturday, September 15, 2012.

Clay was recognized for being one of several Royal Ambassadors from across the state that submitted an email nominating RA leaders for their special service. (See what Clay had to say about Sam in the letter below). Sam Nance has served faithfully as a RA leader for over twenty years at Central Baptist Church in Italy, Texas.

Clay and Sam both received an engraved Texas Baptist Men pocketknife from Keith Mack, State Royal Ambassadors and Challengers Director.

Not only did Clay receive an autographed baseball from a Ranger player, but he also was picked to represent all of the Royal Ambassadors and Challengers across Texas by throwing out the ceremonial “first-pitch” before the Texas Rangers baseball game with the Seattle Mariners. Accompanied onto the field by Sam, Clay wound-up in front of a capacity crowd and threw a strike to the waiting Rangers catcher.

Clay and Sam were part of a group of 33 people that attended the Mission Rally and Texas Rangers Baseball game from Central Baptist Church. Royal Ambassadors and Challengers are missions education groups for boys and young men, grades 1-12. At Central Baptist Church in Italy, Royal Ambassadors meet in the brown house at 117 South Ward Street at 7:00pm on Wednesday nights.

To whom it may concern,

Sam Nance has been a faithful RA leader for over twenty years. He not only has worked each week at RA meetings, but also has attended many RA camps, Congresses, leadership training camps, Mission Mania, state races, and other activities.

I enjoy the stories that he shares with us about missionaries and missions. Sam is good about listening to us and discussing things that happen in our community, state, country and world. He also encourages us to always be positive about life and rely on God to guide us each day.

Sam Nance is a good example of what a Royal Ambassador should be. I look up to Sam as a strong Christian role model in my life.

Thank you,
Clay Riddle
Royal Ambassador, Central Baptist Church – Italy, Texas