Sharing a Priceless Message | An Interview with Troop Shepherd Lacey Keeter
Listen to today’s podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/called-to-flourish-podcast/id1825904379?i=1000727952211
If you’re an American Heritage Girls leader looking for fresh ideas to bring the Priceless theme to life in your troop, this episode of Called to Flourish is a must-listen. I sat down with our Troop Shepherd, Lacey Keeter, who is brand new to the role this year—but you’d never know it. She’s already weaving faith, fun, and creativity into every troop meeting.
In this blog, I’ll highlight some of her best ideas and show you how you can adapt them for your own troop. Whether you’re a new Troop Shepherd, a unit leader, or just someone looking for practical ways to disciple girls, you’re going to love these simple, Christ-centered tips.
Why the Priceless Theme Matters
Every year AHG releases a new theme, and this year it’s Priceless. The heart of the theme comes straight from Matthew 13:45–46—the parable of the merchant searching for pearls who finds one pearl of great price.
Lacey shared that she wanted to focus deeply on this theme, instead of juggling too much at once. Her goal? To help the girls see that a relationship with Jesus is not only priceless—it’s worth pursuing with your whole heart.
Meet Maggie the Manatee 🐾
When Lacey introduced the theme to the troop, she didn’t just read a verse or give a talk. She told a story about a treasure hunter at the beach and then pulled out her “shy friend” Maggie the Manatee—a big stuffed plush!
The girls were hooked. They gasped, laughed, and immediately connected with Maggie. Now Maggie shows up in review games like Toss the Manatee, where the girls answer questions and then pass her to a friend. It’s simple, silly, and memorable.
💡 Leader tip: You don’t need a manatee—grab any stuffed animal and make it your troop mascot. Kids will love it, and you’ll have an easy engagement tool ready every week.
Scripture Memory That Sticks
Let’s be honest: memorizing Bible verses isn’t always easy for kids (or leaders!). Lacey had the genius idea of teaching the Priceless theme verse with simple sign language and motions.
Why does it work? Because when girls move their bodies, they stay focused and remember the verse better. Plus, it adds fun and energy to what could feel like “schoolwork.”
💡 Leader tip: Try adding motions to any verse you teach. Even silly movements make the words stick!
Acting Out the Gospel
One of my favorite things Lacey has done is turning the parable of the pearl into a mini play. The girls wore simple props—like a blazer for the merchant, signs for “house” and “furniture,” and a tissue-wrapped soccer ball labeled “Pearl of Great Price.”
By the end, the girls weren’t just hearing the story—they were living it. And they walked away with a powerful picture of what it means to give up everything for Jesus.
💡 Leader tip: Kids love to act things out. Next time you’re teaching a story, assign roles and let them bring it to life.
Building Sister Groups That Last
In our troop, we use sister groups (named after the AHG Creed traits) to connect older and younger girls. Lacey took this idea to the next level by creating supply bags for each group. Inside are the week’s craft or activity supplies, ready to hand off to the oldest girl in the group.
Recently, the activity was making pipe-cleaner crowns to remind the girls they are part of God’s kingdom—“where God is King.” The older girls led their sisters in the craft, while the younger ones beamed with pride.
💡 Leader tip: Prepping sister-group bags ahead of time keeps things organized and gives older girls real leadership opportunities.
Prayer That Changes Everything
Perhaps the most moving part of Lacey’s shepherding is the prayer jar. Each week, girls can drop in a written prayer request. Lacey takes those requests home, prays over them, and even writes back with a handwritten Scripture card for encouragement.
The result? Moms in tears, girls hugging her with gratitude, and a troop that knows they are loved and prayed for.
💡 Leader tip: A simple jar + index cards = a powerful ministry. Prayer is the heartbeat of shepherding.
What’s Coming Next
Lacey’s plans include teaching the Wordless Book Gospel colors, adding John 3:16 to music, and continuing to equip older girls as girl shepherds who pray and lead alongside her. Her focus is always the same: keep Jesus at the center and keep the girls engaged.
Big Takeaways for Troop Shepherds
If you’re a new Troop Shepherd (or just need fresh energy), here are Lacey’s top lessons:
- Stay filled with Jesus. Daily time in God’s Word gives you something to pour out to the girls.
- Make it participatory. Don’t just talk—get the girls moving, acting, crafting, and playing.
- Keep it simple. Focus on one theme, one patch, or one story at a time. Depth is better than busyness.
Ready to Try These Ideas?
Here are some quick wins to take to your next troop meeting:
- Pick a mascot (stuffed animal or puppet) to make lessons fun.
- Add motions to your scripture verse.
- Turn your devotion into a 5-minute skit.
- Create supply bags for sister groups.
- Set out a prayer jar and commit to praying for your girls all week.
Final Word
Shepherding doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little creativity and a lot of prayer, you can help girls see the Gospel in a way that feels fun, memorable, and priceless.
Want even more tools? Listen to Episode 9 of the Called to Flourish Podcast and get inspired by Lacey’s full story and ideas.