BLACKLICK, Ohio –– Jeremy Weaver, the father of a Boy Scout, a Cub Scout, and a future Venture Crew member, is available to help Ohio churches reach out to young people through Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire USA, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, and 4-H.

Weaver serves as one of two scouting ministry specialists in the West Ohio Annual Conference. The other volunteer is Roger Mallory of Columbus.

A 1996 graduate of the Ohio State University, Weaver is a former middle- and long-distance runner and a former member of the band. “Although I don't do some of these anymore, I enjoy watching my kids participate in many of those,” said Weaver.

Weaver says his love of baseball took him away from his Cub Pack, but he is now engaged again as a former Tiger Den leader, a Webelos Den leader, a pack trainer, and currently the chair of the Pack Committee. He also serves as the Venture Crew adviser, a volunteer on the district staff and council chairman for the Ohio State Fair.

“I am a 3rd generation Scout,” said Weaver. “My father reconnected with scouting a few years ago as chair of our Pack Advancement Committee, so it’s been a blessing to share the scouting experience with my father and my sons.” Weaver’s father and sons participated in the National Scouting Centennial Parade in Washington, D.C. last July.

Weaver serves Summit Station UMC as a member of the Administrative Board, the Board of Trustees,  and the Outreach Committee. His wife leads a youth Sunday school class.

Since being named the 37th scouting ministry specialist two years ago, Weaver has attended the UM Scouter's Workshop at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. He established the first UM scouting booth in his local council at the University of Scouting and he is working with the district Scout executive to utilize scouting ministry specialists as a way to increase the number of Scout units. “Most importantly,” says Weaver, “I have been privileged to have met other faith leaders that has resulted in a shared vision on a possible rebirth of a Council Interfaith Committee.”
 
“Scouting has had a deep rooted heritage in America and across the world and has taught many the building blocks of life and why being honest and trustworthy are still as relevant today as they were over 100 years ago,” said Weaver.

“Serving as an scouting ministry specialists provides a unique avenue of serving God through a program that is a true outreach into the community and fulfills so much of what John Wesley once said: ‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.’”

Persons interested in becoming a scouting ministry specialist may contact LaNisha Sayles (lsayles@gcumm.org).