Assemblies of God youth organizations include two youth organizations operating under the auspices of the Assemblies of God, the Royal Rangers and the Mpact Girls Clubs (formerly known as the Missionettes). Royal Rangers Royal Rangers is an adventure-based, merit-driven, faith-based, church ministry and mentoring program for boys in grades K-12, providing “Christlike character formation and servant leadership development for boys and young men in a highly relational and fun environment". The Royal Rangers program is active throughout the United States as well as in over 90 other nations; consequently, in 2002, 'Royal Rangers International' (RRI) was started. Royal Rangers in the USA is a boys-only program, unless the church does not have a girls ministry program; programs in some other nations allow both boys and girls to participate. The uniforms, mottos, practices and operation are derived from the Boy Scouts. Royal Rangers' Mission is to "evangelize, equip, and empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders." (Formerly worded: To instruct, challenge, and inspire our boys in the areas of Bible doctrine, Christian service, moral conduct, and the basic beliefs of our church, through interesting activities that boys enjoy.) They also position themselves against the LGBT-Community and forbid members of that community to be a group leader, stating on their website: "This prohibition encompasses [...] homosexual conduct, as well as the practice of transgender or altered gender identity." The highest attainable award in Royal Rangers is the Gold Medal of Achievement (GMA), which is promoted as the equivalent to the rank of Eagle Scout. The GMA testifies to the persevering work, assiduous endurance, and ceaseless dedication towards the program, plus being equipped to be strong, intrepid leaders. History 1960 Rev. Burton Pierce comes to Springfield, Missouri as Men's Department Secretary. He helps develop "The Group of Brothers" — Burton Pierce, Lloyd Colbough, Charles Scott, Weldon Colbough, and Dick Champion — to pray for God's direction in the development of a new boys' program in the Assemblies of God. 1961 Rev. Pierce travels to Texas to meet North Texas District Christ Ambassadors President Johnnie Barnes. Rev. Johnnie Barnes is considered founder of Royal Rangers. Rev. Barnes's memorial tombstone states that he is the Royal Rangers Founder; the handbooks state he founded the ministry in 1962 as well. 1962 By January, Rev. Johnnie Barnes had moved to Springfield, Missouri to start putting together a program for boys. Rev. Charles Scott