Author Topic: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption  (Read 31955 times)

Offline MrMiYoda

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The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« on: May 04, 2019, 10:30:00 PM »
My Redemption encounter with these Christian 'boy scouts' is a sight to behold. God always has amazing plans for His game! I always recall in the past Boy Scouts playing MTG at their camps and Jamborees. God must have been busy using Rob Anderson to pave the way for Redemption to flourish as the 2nd longest reigning collectible card game just next to MTG.

It all started around 2005 with my unforgettable encounter with an MA playgroup in the North East composed of a few Royal Rangers (RR) youth under legendary Redemption game master John Michaliszyn who himself was an RR commander back in the day.

South Central Region coordinator RR Cmdr. Ken Porter is a Godsend to the game. His Redemption encounter is amazing. Cmdr. Ken has resurrected the game amongst all RRs. STXRR District Director Cmdr. Jason Bone, Cmdr. Chad Hutson, and Cmdr TJ Arnold have been co-backbones for Redemption harvest in the RR South Central Region. And although they do not play the game, Cmdrs Jeff and Lori Stokes have been Godsends in supporting and promoting the game.

More fruits are harvested from the South TX RR EDGE leadership trainings as well as the national LEAD conferences.

The recent years have exploded with RR Redemption harvest at the South Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama Powwows where more than a thousand total Christian 'Boy Scouts' witness the awesome experience of learning, playing, and teaching the game. Icing on the cake is that one of our foremost players who demo'd the game at the STXRR camp (Joe S) was himself a Royal Ranger. Jaylon A, Matt R, Ellis C, Brian H, Mordechai C, and Samson E are pioneering junior RR Redemption demo team members.

Shoutouts to District Cmdrs. Sid McCoy (OK) and John Robinson (AL) for their RR states embracing the game. Pioneering OK Redemption RRs who became part of the OK Redemption demo team was led by Cmdr. Travis McCrate.  OK RR Cmdr. Joe Blackwood is the precursor to Redemption being embraced by OK RRs. Cmdr. Chris Staggers heads the largest OK RR outpost that plays the game.

Cmdr. Adam Alvarez (NY) has his own amazing story of his homecoming with Redemption. He and Dario V are currently rejuvenating the game on Long Island.

Redemption was pioneered as activity at RR Camporama 2022, in Eagle Rock MO, thanks to collaboration between the STX and OK RRs led by Cmdrs Royce Anagnostou and Chris Staggers. This major event is similar to the historical BSA Jamboree.
https://royalrangers.com/camporama

To contact RRs in their respective localities and send E-mail proposals to introduce the game, here is a suggested template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hqtJVndTTD_m803KBk-LrRZLHY5WqRcq6fytTmX5ixI/edit?usp=sharing

RR Redemption seed planting maps:




RR outpost locator to check if there are some in your playgroup area:
https://royalrangers.com/locator

Denominations & Fellowships Eligible To Set Up Royal Rangers Outposts

Special shoutout to my core Redemption demo team members Joe S, Travis M, and Jared S. Travis has himself taught the game to more than 1000 RRs to date. Terry M (oldest active Redemption player) is also part of my team.

To all RRs and other Redemption players who are not RRs, if you are an Amazon buyer and is not yet on Amazon Smile, please consider choosing 'Kjac Inc' as your choice to support. Each purchase you make allots a small percentage to the Royal Rangers mission.

What is Amazon Smile?
https://smile.amazon.com/charity/smile/about

How to support the RR missions thru Amazon Smile?
https://www.stxroyalrangers.com/support/

The Royal Rangers have multiplied Redemption's player base. We boldly and faithfully declare an amazing destiny for the RRs as they continue to spread the game to their outposts in the US and beyond.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2022, 08:16:25 AM by MrMiYoda »
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Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2019, 10:34:44 PM »
A TX State Tourney in 2018 showcased RR Redemption new powerhouses as young as 10 years old. One protege is a 10 year old with the same namesake as one of the greatest Redemption players in history - our beloved Josiah B.

Josiah was taught the game by his RR mate Noah A. -- isn't it amazing that this other young man's namesake is the same as yet another great young Redemption master Noah W.?😄 Noah is the son of RR Cmdr. Royce A - Redemption player and inventor of 'R.A.I.D.!', a 25-card Redemption deck design that employs short 10-minute fun gameplays that fit into any RR activities.

We honor a former 10 year old NY Redemption protege (Dario V). He was a former RR when he was a kid.

Dario a few years ago with Redemption legend Gabe I. Gabe himself was an RR when he was young.

At the 2019 STXRR Powwow (see details below):
http://www.cactusforums.com/redemption-tournaments/tx-gaming-demo-log-diary/msg595829/#msg595829





At the 2019 TX State Tournament (03-04May2019, Tomball) hosted by Mr. Travis B. & head preaching minister (pastor) Bill R.:
Below, junior RR Noah A. (left) teaching the game to fellow RR Josiah while Noah's dad Commander Royce A. watches on and guides both young players. Both son & dad competed in the T1 2P event where Noah won 3rd place.

Below, junior RR Caleb A. (left) with his dad Commander Mark A. as he practices the game with San Antonio TX player Travis M..


« Last Edit: October 26, 2022, 08:16:55 AM by MrMiYoda »
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Offline Mr.Hiatus

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2019, 10:00:18 AM »
That is some amazing work Roy, and thank you for sharing! I am very interested to see how this goes, it sounds awesome.

Offline Crashfach2002

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2019, 02:14:01 PM »
Roy,

If we can work it out ahead of time and want to make a State or Regional tournament feel like a National at their national gathering, count me in to try to do everything I can to help you make this happen!  Just have a lot of details we would have to work out to make sure it would work, but this would be great publicity and huge step for this game we love!

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2019, 10:39:35 AM »
Quote
Dario a few years ago with Redemption legend Gabe I.

I'm guessing that was Nationals 2012...the question is, will we be able to recreate this photo this year (7 years later)??  ;D
Fortress Alstad
Have you checked the REG?
Have you looked it up in ORCID?

Offline Dario Dante

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2019, 03:14:34 PM »
Quote
Dario a few years ago with Redemption legend Gabe I.

I'm guessing that was Nationals 2012...the question is, will we be able to recreate this photo this year (7 years later)??  ;D

Yes! Tennessee Nationals 2012, my first National tournament! I’ll speak with Gabe at Nats this year and try to get this photo in the same spot if possible haha!

Offline Crashfach2002

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2019, 04:12:39 PM »
Quote
Dario a few years ago with Redemption legend Gabe I.

I'm guessing that was Nationals 2012...the question is, will we be able to recreate this photo this year (7 years later)??  ;D

Yes! Tennessee Nationals 2012, my first National tournament! I’ll speak with Gabe at Nats this year and try to get this photo in the same spot if possible haha!

That will be easy to recreate!

***EDIT***
By popular demand, Gabe & Dario at Nats2019 in the same pose as in 2012 Nats, both in TN:
« Last Edit: November 09, 2020, 09:31:14 PM by ReyZen »

Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2019, 07:44:02 PM »
More new RR players added to Travis B's playgroup.


Samson (pic, between Travis & Marcus) and Mordecai (pic, left of Bill) were featured in an earlier post teaching Redemption at their church. Huge thanks to Commander Jody for bringing them to today's local tourney in Tomball.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2019, 07:52:06 PM by ReyZen »
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Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2019, 11:59:42 AM »
Here's an impromptu local tourney featuring Commander Royce and his son Noah:
http://www.cactusforums.com/redemption-tournaments/tx-gaming-demo-log-diary/msg598153/#msg598153
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Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2019, 07:18:13 PM »
Local Tournament at Spring Creek Church of Christ (Tomball TX). New players and attended by regulars Commander Royce and His son Noah.




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Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2019, 10:37:46 AM »
Per Commander Ken P (TX) the Spanish Eastern District director learned about Redemption at a territorial conference last summer. Spanish Eastern comprises the Mississippi River East and Spanish speaking churches.  Luis V, the leader of that region said he had spoken with Cactus and we are sending people to his leadership conference next month. Redemption jedi around the area are most welcome to contact Rob for details so you can volunteer to help.

Meanwhile, per Dario V (NY), John M (MA) and he will demo Redemption at Commander Adam A's Royal Rangers sectional meeting on Long Island NY on 02 November. Redemption jedi around the area are most welcome to contact John & Dario for details so you can volunteer to help.


Prayers up as we declare amazing wildfire as the the Royal Rangers help spread Redemption around the world.

God is good!
« Last Edit: October 11, 2019, 10:54:53 AM by ReyZen »
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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2019, 06:49:53 PM »
We celebrate yet another testimonial for the RR South Texas Sectional Derby. See details here:
https://www.cactusforums.com/redemption-tournaments/tx-gaming-demo-log-diary/

God is GOOD!
« Last Edit: October 12, 2019, 07:09:31 PM by ReyZen »
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Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2019, 10:51:27 AM »
Right of pic: Jaylon our junior Royal Ranger teaching the game at camp today. I had no idea they had camp this weekend. Commander Jeff surprised me with a text message. Jaylon took it upon himself to teach the game without even needing to let me know. Now that is a true Redemption young jedi and a game master in the making!

God is good!

Just.....keep.....planting quality seeds! Never worry about the fruit! God will make it happen!
« Last Edit: November 16, 2019, 10:58:28 AM by ReyZen »
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Offline Jaydog1616

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2020, 12:47:18 AM »
What an honor to have just finished promoting Redemption at the 2020 annual Royal Rangers LEAD Conference with my friend and godfather ReyZen.

It was an amazing and humbling experience, being able to teach Royal Ranger Commanders about my favorite hobby and watch them eagerly welcome the game.

Demos given: 40+ (with many being full games or near-full)
Viewers: 300+

Here are some of my favorite pictures. (Credit to ReyZen for the great off-guard photos!)

In these two pictures, I train the young commander-in-training Zachary in Redemption. He went on later in the convention to teach the game to an 11 and 8 year old, who will go on to sell and promote the game with their family!
What a blessing it was to be a witness to the immediate growth of so many planted seeds.

In the next picture, I teach Redemption to Joe B, a new avid player who is also a Youth Pastor and RR Commander. We became friends pretty quickly, and we did some card trading and I was able to help him expand his starter deck. I have no doubt that Redemption will spread like wildfire back at his home church and beyond. In the second image, Commander Joe begins practicing further and playing a game with Commander Sam, another avid player.

In these two photos below, I introduce the game to a RR commander who's husband curiously spectates the game.
Just a few minutes later, the couple faces off against each other with only slight assistance.

In the photo below, I was blessed with the honor of training RR Camp-o-rama Director Branden K. One of the many fruitful immediate harvests I noticed was when he went on to train two commanders that were new to the game (Second photo below) and then immediately taught his son later that night (The small photo below). It is truly a blessing to experience these seeds growing so quickly, and I know they will continue to grow and spread behind the scenes.

In the first image below, I was blessed with the chance to teach RR International Missionary Jeremiah H. In the second photo below, him and fellow RR International leaders embrace Redemption.
The game is headed to 90+ countries!

In the image below, I had a joyful time playing with 8-year old James S. and his older brother (on left) Micah, while their younger sister spectated. Their family is taking the game with them to play, promote, and sell, as they travel around the USA.
A traveling truck full of seeds, ready to be planted!!

In the photo below, a good sized crowd of newly-taught commanders sit down for a Friday Night Redemption session.
Camporama Director Commander Branden (center) eagerly started teaching the game while I overlooked things and answered judging questions.

In the final image, Commander Joe trains two commanders in his newly-acquired awareness and knowledge of this great game.


What a wonderful convention this was, with a huge amount of commanders soaking up the game and turning right around to teach others. Redemption made a massive name for itself at LEAD 2020, and this is just the beginning. When these Royal Ranger leaders headed back to their home states, Redemption went with them.

As these Commanders train their students and fellow leaders back home, I pray that thousands of new players learn the game through them and spread it far beyond what we can comprehend.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2022, 06:25:19 AM by MrMiYoda »
Are you near Indianapolis, Indiana? If so, come play!!

Offline jesse

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2020, 03:10:21 AM »
You guys are so inspiring!! Way to go!!!
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Offline CactusRob

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #15 on: March 12, 2020, 10:02:40 AM »
This is great.  Thank you for going.  One of the mother's who attended called me first thing Monday morning to order cards for her local group.
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Offline Prof Underwood

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #16 on: March 25, 2020, 05:39:47 PM »
I was happy to hear from Roy the other day about his adventures with the Royal Rangers & teaching them Redemption.

One of my favorite words is "serendipity" which I define as a "divinely inspired, happy coincidence".  This seems to apply to this situation because it so happens that when my family returned to America after living a few years in Indonesia that we began going to the Bella Vista Assemblies of God church in northwest Arkansas.  And for the first time, I learned about Royal Rangers because our church has an active program, which my son was just the right age to join.  So for the past 2 years he has been participating in Royal Rangers, and has loved it.

Meanwhile, I have been looking for a good way to start up another Redemption group.  My first group was in KY where I taught at Oakdale Christian Academy.  That group thrived for a decade and was continued on after I left by the champion-level player, Brian Jones.  My second group was in Indonesia where I taught at Mountainview Christian School and was just starting to take off by the end of my third year there.  But after moving back to the States and settling in Arkansas, I am now running an escape room business and so I wasn't sure what would be a good way to get a 3rd group going.  But I talked with the Royal Rangers Commander at our church and I think this might be the way to do it.

Unfortunately the coronavirus has shut down everything around here temporarily, so everything is currently on hold.  But in the future there may just be a contingent of Arkansas players at the National Tournament.  God moves in mysterious ways :)
« Last Edit: March 25, 2020, 11:49:14 PM by ReyZen »

Offline Jonesy

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #17 on: March 26, 2020, 09:58:10 AM »
I was happy to hear from Roy the other day about his adventures with the Royal Rangers & teaching them Redemption.

One of my favorite words is "serendipity" which I define as a "divinely inspired, happy coincidence".  This seems to apply to this situation because it so happens that when my family returned to America after living a few years in Indonesia that we began going to the Bella Vista Assemblies of God church in northwest Arkansas.  And for the first time, I learned about Royal Rangers because our church has an active program, which my son was just the right age to join.  So for the past 2 years he has been participating in Royal Rangers, and has loved it.

Meanwhile, I have been looking for a good way to start up another Redemption group.  My first group was in KY where I taught at Oakdale Christian Academy.  That group thrived for a decade and was continued on after I left by the champion-level player, Brian Jones.  My second group was in Indonesia where I taught at Mountainview Christian School and was just starting to take off by the end of my third year there.  But after moving back to the States and settling in Arkansas, I am now running an escape room business and so I wasn't sure what would be a good way to get a 3rd group going.  But I talked with the Royal Rangers Commander at our church and I think this might be the way to do it.

Unfortunately the coronavirus has shut down everything around here temporarily, so everything is currently on hold.  But in the future there may just be a contingent of Arkansas players at the National Tournament.  God moves in mysterious ways :)

Is it bad that what I take from this post is that there will be more timeouts this year at Nats. ;)

Offline Prof Underwood

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #18 on: April 07, 2020, 02:13:50 PM »
Is it bad that what I take from this post is that there will be more timeouts this year at Nats. ;)
Thanks pal!  I'm glad I'm remembered for something :)

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #19 on: April 14, 2020, 12:14:09 AM »
Wow Mark!  I just learned you were back in the U.S.A.  It seems you are doing well?  I miss all the great times our OH/KY playgroups had.  I have been out of Redemption for a while now but my boys are now starting to learn and earn cards for themselves.  So maybe we will meet again?

Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #20 on: November 08, 2020, 09:49:25 AM »
I promise to give y'all a blow-by-blow log on the amazing South Texas PowWow held from 06-08 Nov 2020. Meanwhile, Redemption rejoices as it becomes an official gaming activity amongst RRs, pioneered at PowWow 2020.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2021, 03:03:28 AM by ReyZen »
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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #21 on: November 09, 2020, 03:25:34 PM »
***South TX PowWow Highlights***

A view from the camp entrance:




Quick Campsite view:


« Last Edit: November 09, 2020, 03:33:12 PM by ReyZen »
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Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #22 on: November 09, 2020, 03:29:31 PM »
Friday Night (06Nov2020)

Redemption Demo Team members in action early in the evening before their after-dinner event.





The gaming tent was lit by two $8 25ft LED strips:
« Last Edit: November 10, 2020, 04:20:06 PM by ReyZen »
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Offline MrMiYoda

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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #23 on: November 09, 2020, 03:40:19 PM »
Saturday (07Nov2020)

Redemption Booth:



Badged Redemption Demo Team leaders and members in action. At least 14 Royal Rangers Redemption players volunteered to teach the game while others could not as they had major camp duties.:
















More demos + Booster Draft tournament:


« Last Edit: November 10, 2020, 10:54:11 AM by ReyZen »
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Re: The Birth of Royal Rangers Redemption
« Reply #24 on: November 09, 2020, 03:57:18 PM »
Sunday (08Nov2020)

Worship Service & Awarding Ceremonies:






I believe the youngest RRs at camp's Sunday School --- Their session was right in front of the Redemption booth. When asked by their commanders and junior leaders what they thought were their best gaming activities at the camp, Redemption was head-to-head with Kingdom Quest as their most favorite events. So touching...


We thank Cactus for free Patriarchs packs given to ALL who had attended. Imagine all the Haman's Plots!!! :rollin:

On a more serious note:
There were around 400 participants from both RRs and day guests. We pray for fruits for all who attended -- to start sharing the game with the whole world and Mars!
« Last Edit: November 17, 2020, 09:16:19 PM by ReyZen »
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