Perspectives
By Craig Harris
Michigan Conference Pathfinder Director
The power of a good Pathfinder program goes unrecognized by many people in our churches today. One must simply look to the local Pathfinder program to find a Spiritually rich, Organized, Intentional, Fun, and Rewarding experience for both young and old, rich or poor, with no notice of skin color.
I was a member of the Jackson Blacksmiths Pathfinder club in the early 1970’s. (Named such from Dan Palmer, a blacksmith, and one of the first Seventh-day Adventists in the Jackson, Michigan area, and major contributor to the first Review and Herald Printing press).
I remember learning the braiding honor one evening during my 6th grade year. Mrs. Cooper was our instructor. She had someone construct an eight foot long 2×4 board clamped to a table. The board had nail heads sticking up every so often that served as our anchor for our braiding lanyards. We stood side by side doing the three-strand braid. I remember my colors – Blue, black and yellow. Now I am actually a fairly coordinated person, but for some reason, I could not get this three-strand braid right! Mine would always seem to get twisted and was not looking good! To make matters worse, Wendy Alfred, my fellow Pathfinder braiding next to me, was doing an excellent job with her braid (White, Pink and Green). Hers was perfect. Her hands were whipping cording all of the place and hardly looking at what she was doing. I looked down the row of Pathfinders and they all were making great progress.
Pressure began to mount at each of my unsuccessful braid attempts. As many of us do, especially when young, I began thinking. “I’m not any good.” “I hate this.” “Who needs a lanyard any way.”
Just about then Mrs. Cooper stopped by and obviously noticed that I was struggling. She offered some useful help, but with the pressure to perform to the standards of my fellow pathfinders, I barely heard her.
I continued to struggle, not realizing how simple it really was. I remember wishing I had stayed home that night. But God had something else in mind for me.
The class continued for about three days…well it seemed like three days! About 10 minutes after her first visit to her struggling Pathfinder – IT happened! She came by and said in a low voice. “I know that sometimes we can put pressure on ourselves and not do well. You can do this Craig. Try to remember it like this. The blue is like God. The black is like Jesus. The yellow is like the Holy Spirit. They all are individuals but when working together they make One. And the Bible says they are all very neat and orderly. So bring God over Jesus, then Jesus over Holy Spirit, and Holy Spirit over God, making sure that they are all nice and neat. Then tug it a little bit.”
When listening to her directions all of a sudden it made perfect sense! I did strand over strand, strand over strand, and tugged it and “boom” it was correct.
She simply said – “Perfect. Just like that. Good job.”
A smile came from deep down in. I progressed on to make a quite attractive lanyard from there.
Who would ever think of teaching braiding using the Godhead Trinity as an example? I tell you who – God does. He uses an honor teacher who intentionally drew God into an honor class so that an unconverted struggling young man can have a glimpse of what heaven is – while braiding a lanyard.
Pathfinders done right – with converted, Christ centered, intentional leaders like Mrs. Cooper – will have a powerful influence on both young and old.
I encourage each one reading this article to be intentional in reaching young people with your normal, every day, Christ centered life. Ask God to give you the perfect time to drop something about the love of God while you work with them. God will be faithful in providing you with the perfect words at the perfect time to “rescue” someone from negative, destructive thoughts they may have.
I am happy that we have the Adventist Youth Ministries Museum that keeps these types of stories alive. Hundreds of devoted Youth leaders and their specific ministries are highlighted through the museum. Artifacts from both now and the beginnings of youth ministries are kept with this museum. I invite you to support this ministry by clicking the donate button at the end of this newsletter.
Converted, intentional Pathfinder leaders, from both yester-year and now – teaching Christ. That is Pathfinder Strong!
Tag Jesus!
Pastor Craig Harris
