Royal American Prayer (RAP)
A Faithful Community of Support
Shared by Sonya Knight
Director of Resident Services & ACE Chair
Did you know that Royal American has a prayer group dedicated to supporting employees through prayer? For nearly two decades, Royal American Prayer (RAP) has been a source of encouragement, regularly fasting and praying for personal prayer requests, our company, its leadership—including the Chapman family—our nation, government, and military. The group stays connected through email and meets weekly to offer intercessory prayer and encouragement to those in need.
I first learned about this group a few years ago when my husband faced a serious health crisis. I received an unexpected email from a colleague, letting me know that this small yet devoted group was praying for his recovery. In difficult moments, every word of encouragement matters, and their support left a lasting impact on me. I knew I wanted to share the story of this prayer group with others, so I set out to learn more about the people behind it and how it came to be.
Founded 18 years ago by Sundei Granberg, RA Sr. Executive Assistant, RAP began as an in-home Bible study before evolving into a formal prayer group. It later moved to RAM’s former corporate office at One Stanford Center in Panama City, FL, where members gathered in the fourth-floor conference room. However, after Hurricane Michael destroyed the building, the group adapted, continuing its mission at RAM’s current corporate office as well as in private homes, including those of company owner Jeanette Chapman and her daughter, Mary Marie Clemo.
Currently, RAP is led by corporate employees Nicole Boles, Jojary Cartarphen, and Susan Brasher, with additional support from Mary Marie Clemo, Frankie Bruner, and many others who join in prayer from afar. Each week, Nicole collects prayer requests submitted via email, ensuring that employees’ concerns—whether related to health, family, work, relationships, or finances—are lifted up in confidence. Beyond prayer, the group maintains contact with those who seek support, offering updates, praise reports, and words of encouragement.
For those interested in submitting a prayer request or joining the group, you can reach out via email at RAP@royalamerican.com. Knowing that support is available—no matter where we are in life—can be a profound source of encouragement. I am grateful to share the story of this faithful group.
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Call to Action: Just as RAP provides a space for employees to connect through faith, Royal American encourages the creation of other support groups where employees can share common interests, experiences, or goals. Whether it’s professional development, cultural heritage, hobbies, or another area of focus, you can start a group that brings employees together. Please submit your proposal and a brief description of the purpose for your employee-led resource group to ace@royalamerican.com.
Handling Canceled or Rescheduled Events
To ensure residents benefit from tenant programs, canceled mandatory workshops must be rescheduled within the same time frame they were originally required. Simply noting “FACILITATOR CANCELED” or “EVENT CANCELED” on your monthly report is not sufficient.
For example, schedule quarterly events such as Health & Nutrition or Job Training, at the beginning of the quarter. If a facilitator cancels, you will still have enough time to reschedule or replace the event with a comparable offering before the end of the quarter.
Have questions about this? Reach out to Resident Services or read the whole policy here.
Stay tuned for upcoming posts in this series as we continue to highlight important policies and procedures at Royal American!
Women continue to break barriers in industries traditionally dominated by men, and Marshall Gilley is doing just that. With nearly a year in her role as Maintenance Technician, Marshall is focused on growing her expertise and has her sights set on becoming a Maintenance Supervisor in the future.
Originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, Marshall has spent the last ten years in Florida, where she has built a fulfilling life centered around faith, family, and service. She is a mother of six children—five boys and a girl, she enjoys gardening, fishing, and cooking and she’s a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan.
Marshall’s journey into maintenance was inspired by her late father, a commercial painter and skilled tradesman. “I always wanted to learn from my dad and be like him,” she shares. Honoring his legacy, she has built an impressive skill set, holding degrees in pipe fitting/ plumbing and auto mechanics, with plans to complete her HVAC certification this year.
Marshall understands that being a woman in a male-dominated field brings unique advantages. “I’m often perceived as less intimidating, which allows residents—especially seniors and those with disabilities—to feel more comfortable discussing maintenance concerns,” she explains.
One of Marshall’s most rewarding moments on the job was stepping up alongside her manager to assist a resident during a life-threatening medical emergency. “It’s important to make a difference,” she reflects, highlighting that maintenance is about more than just fixing things—it’s about caring for and protecting the community. When asked what advice she would give to other women considering a career in maintenance, Marshall’s response was clear and confident: “Don’t be intimidated. Build your skills and get to work!”
