Perspective by Allan Williamson
Retired Youth & Pathfinder Director
Southern Union Conference

I thank the Lord for giving me the privilege of working with the Youth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 50 years! Even though my home Church in Hackensack, New Jersey was small, they still had a program for their young people. MV meetings (AY) and “Socials to Save” programs were always being planned for our small youth group. Ball games and camping trips connected us to our church. This love and concern for their young people is what inspired me to commit my life to Youth and Pathfinder Ministry and what a wonderful ride it has been! Youth and Pathfinder director of Missouri, Rocky Mountain, North Pacific Union and Southern Union Conferences and many precious memories.

I am so thankful that Dixie and Arnold Plata along with Terry Dodge are willing to bring memorabilia to many of our conference, union and Oshkosh Pathfinder camporees. I am always thrilled when I see the smiling faces of Pathfinders from small churches when they see these enormous exhibits and realize what a large Church they belong to and they are not alone! Three years in a row the Pathfinders sponsored a Pathfinder float in The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California that represented the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Pathfinder Organization collected over $140,000 each year to make this happen and witness for their Church. We won many awards for our creative design and theme and the Pathfinders and Staff did the decorating. Pictures and awards will be part of the exhibit in our Museum. Pathfinders and Young Adults helped carry the torch as it made its way to the Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996. Church members and parents were part of the large crowds cheering for them as they carried the Torch. What a tremendous witness for their Church. Our Youth and Pathfinders love their Church and love to share their faith!

Join with me in the excitement about the establishment of a permanent location for our Adventist Youth Ministries Museum in Battle Creek, Michigan. Our Adventist Village is there so it is a perfect location for sharing the history of the Pathfinder and Youth programs. That is why I have been a board member from Day 1 of this dream. I am in the Church because of dedicated Youth and Pathfinder leaders who taught me to “Trust in the Lord with all my heart and He shall direct my paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

Please join with me as we support the Adventist Youth Ministry Museum with our prayers and our gifts!