Perceptions by Joe Watts – Former ACS Director for Texas Conference
What part does Pathfindering play in the development of a young person? Is it worth the time, the effort, and the funds that it takes to have a successful Pathfinder Club? I, of course, would respond with a definite yes!
I grew up in a small town in southwest Kansas, and the church was also a small. The membership of the church fluctuated between 60 and 100 members depending if there was a church school or not.
A new Pastor came to our church that believed in the Pathfinder program, and felt that we should have a club. Did I mention that the district that this pastor was responsible for included 5 churches and 17 counties? The pastor was Jimmie Owens, and he would later become the youth director of the Kansas Conference as well as other conferences. He would rise early on Sunday morning and drive 60 miles across the flat, wide open spaces of the high plains, then would begin filling his car with Pathfinders on the 60 mile drive back. We would have the Pathfinders meeting, working on classwork, honors, and drill and marching. Then, following the meeting, he would drive 120 miles round trip through heat, wind, rain, tornado threat, or even snow, to take the young people home. That is a serious commitment to the Pathfinder program.
Was it worth it? Definitely! I was one of those Pathfinders and would have probably remained in the church, as my home was a strong Christian home with parents dedicated to Jesus and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I know that Pathfindering played a part in me being in love with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, along with Sabbath School, Christian Education, Youth Rallies, Summer Camp and all the wonderful programs that we have for our youth. I just retired and at last count I am in my 48th year of ministry. I retired from a paid position and moved to a volunteer ministry position. I had the privilege of serving as a conference youth director, which included directing the conference Pathfinder program.
Some of my fellow Pathfinders, from that club, did not come from homes where attendance at church was the norm. But one is serving as a minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, probably close to retiring, and another has served as a teacher in the church’s elementary school system. Many of those young people are still in the church. Much of the credit goes to a pastor that felt the sacrifice to have a Pathfinder program was well worth it.
As we sincerely and faithfully work with Pathfinders, remember that we are not only providing learning and enrichment for the young people in our church, but we are striving to influence their decisions as to where they will spend eternity. When you are involved in the Pathfinder program, you are making a huge difference in their lives, for now and eternally.
The Adventist Youth Ministries Museum to be built in Battle Creek, Michigan, will be a place where individuals (young and not so young) will be able to learn the stories of those who have had an impact on the lives of youth and where a Christ center program makes a difference. Check out the website www.aymmuseum.org and partner with this program.
