The Rev. Mark Dicken, pastor of Trinity UMC in Elkhart, Ind., present PRAY Awards to five Scouts and a Cross and Flame Award to Craig Fulmer (right).

ST. LOUIS, Mo––A total of 23,972 young people earned PRAY (Programs of Religious Activities with Youth) awards in 2014.

The UMC continues to give the highest number with 5,716 awards.

Independent Protestant churches were second high with 4,709, followed by Baptists with 3,163.

PRAY offers four study/award programs in four age groups: God and Me (grades 1-3); God and Family (grades 4-5): God and Church (grades 6-8); and God and Life (grades 9-12). Young people who complete all four studies receive a Four Star Award. Two-hundred and ninety people received Four Star Awards in 2014.

A total of 16,405 awards were given through Boy Scouts of America and 2,116 through Girl Scouts.