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Houston Woman Named First Female Scouting Ministry Specialist

By Rev. J. Richard Peck, Director of Communications

General Commission on United Methodist Men

Cindy King, a member of Spring Woods United Methodist Church in Houston, is the first female scouting ministry specialist.

A scouting ministry specialist is a new position within the United Methodist Church. Created five months ago by the General Commission on United Methodist Men, 32 men have volunteered for the post, but King is the first woman to hold the title.

Volunteer specialists provide neighboring churches with information about ways to begin or expand scouting ministries, the Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (PRAY) awards, training opportunities, resources for Scout Sunday and various awards for young people and adults.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee (B.S.) and Tarleton State University (MBA), King is a former accountant who now serves as a homemaker and volunteer. She has served a number of churches as a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School director, United Methodist Women officer and Council on Ministries chair. She currently serves the Spring Woods church as the scouting Coordinator.

King comes to the position with a wealth of scouting experiences. She has served as a den leader, district training chair, district commissioner, assistant council commissioner, troop committee member, Cub Scout Roundtable staff, den leader coach, and district committee member. She currently serves as chair of the Sam Houston Area Council Cub Scout Membership Committee.

She served as a Wood Badge course director, chaired Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow, co-chaired University of Scouting and previously served as the vice chair of program for the Sam Houston Area Council United Methodist Committee on Scouting.

“Serving as a scouting coordinator allows me to bring service to the church and to scouting together,” said King. “When a boy or girl joins scouting, the family is involved.”

Spring Woods has been involved in scouting for over 45 years and this fall the church will charter a second Cub Scout pack, and the church plans to sponsor a full program of religious awards. All Scouts are encouraged to serve in the Angel Food Ministries and other service opportunities.

“Scouting, as a ministry of the church, reflects the congregation’s commitment to serve Christ in our local community,” said King.

For information about becoming a scouting ministry specialist, contact LaNisha Sayles (615-620-7260) (LSayles@gcumm.org).

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