By Baptist Message staff
DALLAS (LBM) – Callen Breaux, a sixth grader from Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, recently won the national Royal Ambassador Pinewood Derby.
Held June 9 prior to the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the race featured 11 participants from around the SBC who competed inside the exhibit hall. Breaux, who won the Louisiana Baptist RA Congress Pinewood Derby race in April after competing in the state competition for two years previously, expressed excitement about coming in first place on the national level.
Additionally, Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist Christine Gill won the Pinewood Derby race against other Woman’s Missionary Union state directors.
RA Consultant Keith Gates (also a member of First Baptist Church, Winnfield) coordinated the event and Goldonna Baptist Church’s RA ministry provided the track.
“I was really surprised and excited at the same time,” Breaux told the Baptist Message. “I just wanted to compete. Never thought I might win.”
Breaux’s win marked the second consecutive year a Louisiana Baptist has won the national RA Pinewood Derby. Josiah Jones, then a fifth grader from Quitman Baptist Church, won the 2024 national Pinewood Derby in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“Our prayer is that through Royal Ambassadors, boys and young men will grow to be men on mission for Christ,” Gates said. “Fun activities like derby races and campcraft make an impact and foster opportunities for making disciples. The focus and excitement apparent on the boys and leaders face as they participated in the national RA championship derby race on Monday says it all.”
