At the Englishtown Presbyterian Church, Thomas Zak, 13, of Manalapan, will be recognized on Sept. 23 for earning the third segment in the God and Country series, God and Church.
The God and Country program is a part of the PRAY organization (Programs of Religious Activities with Youth). These programs can be used by Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire USA, American Heritage Girls and Protestant and independent churches, according to a press release.
The program is designed for boys and girls in first through 12th grade. The participant must work with a pastor or with counselor appointed by the pastor and an adult mentor.
The God and Country program is broken up into four segments: God and Me for first through third grade; God and Family for fourth and fifth grade; God and Church for sixth through eighth grade; and God and Life for ninth through 12th grade.
Each segment gets slightly more challenging depending on the grade level. The programs consist of meetings with the counselor, Bible studies, workbooks, a project and community service. There are also times to gather for fellowship.
According to the press release, Thomas, who is an eighth-grader at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School, is a Star Scout in Troop 180 at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Manalapan. He has been working on his religious programs since he was in second grade. His counselor is the Rev. Diedre Thomson, pastor, and she has guided Thomas in his quest to learn about Christ since he started the program.
Thomas initially started working on God and Me because he thought “the medal was really cool,” but after finishing the program he was very eager to move on the second segment. When asked why he wanted to continue, Thomas said, “It was really interesting to learn about how Jesus lived” and said he wanted to know more about him.
While working on the third segment, God and Church, Thomas started to attend the Englishtown Presbyterian Church because his counselor, Pastor Thomson, was the interim pastor there.
After completing the third portion of the program, Thomas said, “I am very happy that I have finished this, but I am also very sad. It was very hard work and sometimes Pastor Diedre and now Pastor Dean Overholser from the Englishtown church would really make me think about things that were really hard to find answers for, but now that we are done, I am going to miss my meetings with them. I can’t wait to get to high school so that I can start the next part of the program.”