Negros Occidental Conference celebrates World Pathfinder Day on September 21, 2024, with the theme "Jesus Camps With You."
All Pathfinder Clubs —school or church-based —across NOC joined the celebration, each holding unique and various ways to celebrate. They all emphasized on this day the knowledge, learnings, and inspirations they had achieved from joining the club.
Goals and objectives were revisited, purposes reestablished, and messages delivered boiled down to what it means to be a pathfinder.
The Pathfinder Club, or Pathfinders, is a department of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church that works specifically with children and teens' cultural, social, and religious education. Children 10 years and older are eligible to become members of the club.
Though similar to Scouting, Pathfinders have a stronger religious emphasis. The Pathfinder Club has been an official component of the Adventist Church's youth ministry since 1950.
The first step towards the organization of the Pathfinders Club within the Adventist Church was in 1907 when Pastor Milton Early Kern established the Department of Youth Missionary Volunteers ( Volunteer Missionary Society ) under his leadership.
The first organized society, Missionary Volunteer Youth (MVY), in 1909, developed the first lessons in 1914, which were the precursors of the progressive Pathfinder classes.
Since then, Pathfinder Day is celebrated every third Sabbath of September.
Adventist Academy Bacolod held their candle lighting and induction ceremony at their chapel, while educational institutions such as the Central Philippine Adventist College and CPAC - Elementary School had special presentations in their church.
Moreover, Bacolod Adventist Medical Center Feast Church and Kabankalan SDA Elementary School distributed tracts in the communities.
Most schools and churches enriched the Sabbath with special music, inspirational messages, and historical narratives. Yet, all the celebrations concluded with commitment renewals and refocusing on the ministry.
Louie de Asis, the Center for Evangelism coordinator and Hope Channel Bacolod staff encouraged the Pathfinders during his speaking engagement.
Addressing the youth, he said, "Pathfinders, let's embrace the joy of camping with Jesus, knowing He's our guide, friend, and constant companion. Let our tents be firmly anchored in His Word, our hearts open to His love. As we embark on this faith-filled adventure, remember: Jesus is camping with each of us, leading us every step of the way."
On another positive note, this celebration was also in preparation for the coming NOC Pathfinder Camp this coming Oct. 2024. The organizers then looked forward to a more fulfilling and humbling experience.
By Stephanie Lorenzo, Hope Channel Bacolod
The original version of this article was posted on the official Facebook page of Negros Occidental Conference.
Negros Occidental Celebrates ‘World Pathfinder Day’
Negros Occidental Conference celebrates World Pathfinder Day on September 21, 2024, with the theme “Jesus Camps With You.” All Pathfinder Clubs —school or church-based —across NOC joined the celebration, each holding unique and various ways to celebrate. They all emphasized on this day the knowledge, learnings, and inspirations they had achieved from joining the club. Goals…
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