The Boy Scouts of America troop at First Baptist Church of Jackson, Mississippi, is known as Troop 8. Begun in 1920, Troop 8 has the distinction of being the longest continuously sponsored troop in Mississippi, and is among the longest in the nation. We have been chartered by First Baptist Jackson since 1921.
With this distinction also comes a very close relationship between the mission of First Baptist Jackson and Troop 8. The Boy Scouts of America advocates service to God. As a ministry of our sponsoring organization, Troop 8 advocates a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and supports the Mission, Vision and Statement of Faith of First Baptist Jackson.
Troop 8 also has a proven track record of producing Eagle Scouts. With over 650 scouts achieving the rank of Eagle since 1923, Troop 8 is believed to rank among the highest in the nation in awarding Eagles. [Source]
Our ultimate goal is for every Scout to reach the rank of Eagle. However, the process of moving toward the rank of Eagle is as important as achieving that rank. What a Scout (and a parent) experiences in team-work, self-discipline, leadership, and many other skills will be treasured for a lifetime.
Our mission is to provide a safe and Christ-centered environment for each Scout to explore and discover his God-given potential to make a difference in all areas of life.
Character | Leadership | Adventure | Faith
SCOUT LEADERSHIP (Fall 2020-21)
- Senior Patrol Leader: Truman Poole
ADULT LEADERSHIP
- Scoutmaster: Bill Spence
- Fox Patrol (First Year) Advisors: Ken Booker
- Advancement Coordinator: Richard Rebich
- Quartermaster: Corey Jones
- Campout Coordinator: Tasho Katsaboulas
- Leadership Coordinator: Randy Sites
- Troop Operations / Chartered Organization Rep: Jackie Meck
TROOP 8 MINISTRY COMMITTEE
- Richard Rebich, Committee Chairman
- Buddy Huff
- Andy Wimberly
- Blake Headley
- Josh Huff
- Jackie Meck
- Don Waller
SCOUTMASTERS
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster and his assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster’s job is reflected in the fact that the quality of his guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop.
Troop 8 has been blessed with many wonderful men who have faithfully served the roll of Scoutmaster.
- A. D. Wicks (1920)
- Pat Eager (1920 – 1921)
- M. E. Douglas (1921)
- J. J. Keith (1922 – 1924) – View Biographical Information
- Alvon Doty (1924 – 1929)
- Aubrey Gaskin (1929)
- Edgar Nation (1930 – 1971)
- Robert Denson (1971 – 1979)
- Wendall Hollis (1979 – 1984)
- Ed McIntosh (1984)
- Buddy Huff (1984 – 1988)
- Ben Allen (1988 – 1993)
- Jim Tatum (1993 – 2000)
- Paul Calhoun (2000 – 2003)
- Doug Parkin (2003 – 2006)
- Andy Talley (2006 – 2008)
- Pete Walley (2008 – 2011)
- Andy Talley (2011 – 2013)
- Sam Coker (2013 – 2015)
- Bill Spence (2015 – Present)
SENIOR PATROL LEADERS
The troop is actually run by its boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.
The Senior Patrol Leader is the top junior leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders’ council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.
- Truman Poole (2020 – 2021)
- Allen Rebich (2019 – 2020)
- Ryan Adkins (2018 – 2019)
- Blair Young (2017 – 2018)
- Jonathan Booker (2016 – 2017)
- John William Ables (2015 – 2016)
- Kenneth Niemeyer (2014 – 2015)
- Phillip Talley (2013 – 2014)
- BJ Howard (2012 – 2013)
- Grady Fisher (2011 – 2012)
- Wesley Rule (2010 – 2011)
- Robert Waller (2009 – 2010)
- Carter Barnett (2008 – 2009)
- Robert Parkin (2007 – 2008)
- Blake Scott (2006 – 2007)
- John Wilson (2005 – 2006)
- Mark Koury (2004 – 2005)
- William Forman (2003 – 2004)
- Joey Melton (2002 – 2003)
- Neal Wise (2001 – 2002)
- Steven Begley (2000 – 2001)
- Mark Green (1999 – 2000)
- Will Lipscomb (1998 – 1999)
- Jonathon Watts (1997 – 1998)
- David Hederman (1996 – 1997)
- Matt Jones (1995 – 1996)
- Jeff Gamblin (1994 – 1995)
- Drew Vickers (1993 – 1994)
- Doug Hosford (1992 – 1993)
- Calvin Thigpen (1990 – 1992)
- Thomas Oswalt (1989 – 1990)
- Howard Thigpen (1988 – 1989)
- Steven Hederman (1987 – 1988)
- John Grifiths (1986 – 1987)
- Robert Hederman (1985 – 1986)
- Henry Greaves (1983 – 1985)
- Clark Gamblin (1982 – 1983)
Troop 8 Eagle Honor Roll
Click here to View the List of Troop 8 Eagles since 1923.