Our God, “Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6 NKJV)
This was the cry of the young people from the Bellville Seventh-day Adventist Church coming back from Covid 19 in August 2022. The Youth Department, the Pathfinder and Adventurer Clubs had all disappeared and died down all within a span of two years as if they never existed at all. The new normal was now church on Zoom – Sabbath School, Pathfinders and all other programs. YouTube was now the new way of fellowship – faces glued on the screen, watching You Tube without physically meeting with fellow believers. Talk about a disconnection!!
With the Covid 19 restrictions lifted, life needed to go back to normal and the young people needed to come back to the normal way of doing things, and inspired by Psalm 85:6 -8, a revival journey was initiated by leaders in the Adventurers, Pathfinders and Youth Ministries. Achievement classes that had last been done in 2018 were put in motion, children between the ages of 6 years and 15 years found themselves in church every Sabbath afternoon learning and studying the Word. A new energy started cutting across the whole church as everybody rallied behind the young people, resulting in so much rejoicing as the blaze of revival found its way through the hearts of both the young and the old. Within a short space of time 2022 was over and both Pathfinders and Adventurers celebrated the goodness of God at their year end function at the Farmyard mid-December 2022.
As they say, time waits for no man. No sooner had we celebrated our year end function in December 2022, that we found ourselves back in action in January 2023, kicking off with our Induction Program with about 60 Pathfinders and Adventurers registered to be part of the club. In February achievement classes continued till August, where we celebrated yet another milestone with a total of 86 delegates attending the Pathfinder and Adventurer Camp at Disakloof camp site, in Betty’s Bay from the 11-13th of August 2023.
With the theme for the camp being “In his Hands,” God revealed Himself as the One who makes the impossible possible when we lay everything in His hands. Two days prior, the camp had almost been cancelled as a result of the Taxi strike that had ravaged Cape Town and some parts of the Western Cape province. There was fear and panic from parents and the community, yet in that very moment leaders stood firm in faith, prayed and called upon the Name of God for a miracle. Looking back, we can truly say the Lord has been good to us because, at exactly a few hours before midnight on the 10th of August, the Taxi Strike was called off and Pathfinders and Adventurers enjoyed a peaceful weekend in nature at Disakloof. As the Psalmist said in Psalms 85:6, “Revive us again, Oh Lord, that your people may rejoice!!!” Truly there was enjoyment at the camp as both children and parents enjoyed a spiritual revival in nature after almost 3 years of lockdown. Campfire building, knot tying, lessons on nature, hiking, practical Bible lessons and a treasure hunt were some of the highlights that took place at the camp. As the camp weekend came to an end, three of our Pathfinders had given their hearts to Jesus and in His hands they surrendered their lives.
The Baptism
A journey that started by merely attending Pathfinder classes now culminated with lives being changed and being given to Jesus. On the 9th of September 2023, three of our pathfinders went through the baptism pool, dying to self, rising in newness with Christ and vowing forever to continue to go with Jesus all their lives.
Pathfinder Day and Investiture.
Finally, the year would not have been complete without celebrating the goodness of God during our Pathfinder Day and Investiture. 16 September 2023 still echoes in the minds and hearts of many Pathfinders and Adventurers. Having gone through a tough testing and preparation process, many of them had given up the dream of the Investiture graduation and moving on to the next class. However, through prayers and the determination of the leadership team, many of them passed the tests and were eligible for investiture on the16th of September 2023. There was so much excitement and celebration that Sabbath as both the Adventurers and Pathfinders received their pins and certificates in recognition of their good fight of faith. As the Pathfinder Day and the message of the hour was concluded, again three of our Pathfinders gave their lives to Jesus in preparation for the next baptism.
Like Josiah of old, amidst evil and idol worship, he chose to walk with Jesus and brought a revival in Israel. Our Pathfinders have chosen to walk with Jesus and in their walk they aim to spread the Advent message to all the world in their generation. The question they have for you today is: “Will you go with Jesus?”
Looking back at the events of the past year, I can only marvel at the goodness of God and I can truly say that the Lord has been good to us. The testimonies below testify to that fact:
Testimony 1
“Being a Pathfinder has been an amazing journey. It has taught me how to successfully navigate my life whether in school, at home, with friends and during other daily activities. I have also learnt important skills, such as First Aid and how to survive in the wilderness, through honors that we have achieved during the course of the year. Above all, being a Pathfinder encouraged me to dedicate my life to Jesus and be baptized.” (Mutsa Mutema)
Testimony 2
“I started Pathfinders when I was 13. At first it was strange and exciting at the same time as I never knew something like that. When I was younger, I stopped attending club, however, through the encouragement of my teachers, I realized the excitement I was missing and that I had second-guessed my love for Christ and His grace when I was down in my life. I was not spending enough time in His Word, so I started putting more effort, praying more often and going to church regularly and giving my whole self to go with Jesus. So on the 16th of September 2023, I decided to give my life to Jesus and to prepare for baptism.” (Robyn Martin)
Testimony 3
I am Kayla Zerf, a former Pathfinder. During my years of being a Pathfinder I have learnt so many lessons and skills that have really shaped me into who I am today. My relationship with God has grown, so much so that I have decided to give my life to Jesus. I would never have taken this huge step if my parents didn’t take me to Pathfinders and for that I am forever grateful.
Taking me to Pathfinders was one way that my parents have brought me up the way I should go….and I choose to go with Jesus!! (Kayla Zerf)
As I read through these testimonies of some of our Pathfinders who gave their lives to Jesus, I can’t help but shed a tear, realizing that our mission should always be Salvation and Service to the Master!!
Bellville Pathfinder and Adventurer Leadership Team.
