Pathfinder Day - General Conference

Pathfinder Day - General Conference
September 19 th 2009
Jonatan Tejel,
Pathfinder
World Director
/ Welcome
to Pathfinder
Day.
Arnold &
Dixie Plata,
Responsible for
the Pathfinder
Museum / The
Pathfinder Day
Leo Ranzolin,
Former GC
Vice president
and Former
GC Pathfinder
World Director
/ PREPARING THEM
FOR LIFE
– Earthly and
Eternal!
The Pathfinder Day 2009
Welcome to Pathfinder Day
The General Conference has designated September19, 2009, as Pathfinder Day, to be observed in all of our churches,
with the following objectives:
To give official recognition and encouragement to the Pathfinder Club in the local church.
To acquaint the congregation with the scope of possibilities afforded by the Pathfinder Club in the
development of our junior youth.
To encourage greater cooperation and support of the local Pathfinder Club by the congregation.
To recruit additional Pathfinder staff members.
To give the Pathfinder Club members a greater sense of belonging to the church by their active
participation in the worship hour.
To give an opportunity for the church to provide more financial assistance for the club by giving a special
Pathfinder Club offering during the worship hour.
Planning Pathfinder Day
Discuss Pathfinder Day with Club Staff.
Consult with church pastor.
Apply to church board for the offering on Pathfinder Day.
Notify parents and church members and the church secretary.
Alert and enthuse Pathfinders.
Check uniforms, flags and guidons.
Organize program in detail.
God bless you on this great day!
Your friend...
Jonatan Tejel, GC World Pathfinder Director
The pathfinder day 2009
The Pathfinder Day
Arnold and Dixie Plata, Pathfinder Museum
D
ear Jesus thank you for dedicated staff, the church family and our parents. Thank you for each individual
Pathfinder and their commitment to YOU. Help each of us to do our best and to remember we are here to
praise You, our creator.
“Attention! Now don’t forget to smile and please remember to be reverent...” With those last words another Pathfinder
Day (Sabbath) has begun. Nervous Pathfinders from clubs around the world march quietly, behind their nation’s colors and
the Pathfinder Flag, into their church sanctuary, often to the playing of the official Pathfinder Song.
“Oh, we are the Pathfinders Strong, the servants to God are we,
Faithful as we march along, In kindness, truth and purity.
A message to tell to the world a truth that will set us free.
King Jesus the Saviour’s coming back, for you and me.”
This song, written for Pathfinder youth around the world, by Henry T. Bergh in 1949, is sung by thousands of
Pathfinders in their native tongue as they begin club meetings, Pathfinder Fair, Pathfinder Sabbath programs, and Camporees.
In 2009 Pastor Henry T. Bergh is the only Pathfinder Pioneer that is still living. Pastor Bergh not only wrote the Pathfinder
Song but also began the Pathfinder Coordinator’s program, held the first Pathfinder Fair, the first leadership training course,
and was on the Missionary Volunteer Youth Leader’s Counsel of the Pacific Union, the union that formed the Pathfinder
Club, as we know it today.
Great youth workers of the Pacific Union;: John H. Hancock, – Southeastern California Conference;, Clark Smith,
– Nevada-Utah Conference,; Miller Brockett, – Southern California Conference,; Henry T. Bergh, Central California
Conference; and Union Youth Director, and J. R. Nelson met to discuss and recordset down on paper the foundation for the
Pathfinder program that they were successfully providing within their conferences. These men gathered at the request of the
General Conference Youth Department Leaders,; Eldine W. Dunbar, Theodore E. Lucas and Laurence A. Skinner.
The Pathfinder program was filled with spiritual, mental and physical activities to strengthen the character of each
youth. Vocational Honors (Adventist Youth Honors) had been part of the Missionary Volunteer (MV) and Junior Missionary
Volunteer (JMV) programs since 1928. The Pathfinder program added camping experiences as well as outreach activities.
It was not until a meeting in October of 1955 that it was voted to study the question adding to the church calendar a
special day and offering, a day for promoting Pathfinder Cclubs within each individual church. By 1957 special bulletins were
printed and sent to each Conference to be used as church bulletins for “Pathfinder Day’ programs.
Today, the tradition continues with the youth presenting a Christ centered program, on a designated Sabbath, to
demonstrate spiritual, mental and physical achievements. The youth present the entire day’s program, from the morning
welcome to the closing prayer, the special music, presentations, they serve as ushers, tell the children’s stories and deliver the
sermons. Pathfinder Day is a time to thank God for young people. It’s a day to , share their accomplishments and encourage
the youth to be more involved in their church. It is also a time to thank the leadership of the Pathfinder Clubs for their
dedication to God’s lambs.
The Pathfinder Day 2009
PREPARING THEM FOR LIFE – Earthly and Eternal!
P
athfinders have many things
in common – “Down under”,
in Australia, they have unusual
hats, but they love the Lord!
You might see them eating tortillas in
Mexico, but sharing the Word of God!
They may come from the land of the
Vikings, but they love Orienteering!
In the lands of the Conquistadores
they are to conquer the world for
Jesus! In Africa, they love to sing and
in the Philippines you may find them
building a hut with hay!
had seven minutes to preach. Kids loved a short message. The sermon was given
by the boys and girls!
Pathfinders come in all shapes and
sizes, but they all respond to fun,
learning and sharing. They all have
a zest for adventure, a thirst for
knowledge and a love for the Lord.
When motivated nothing can stop
them! Pathfinder Day is the time to
remind the Church that capable and
dedicated leaders are diligently working
to lead the youth to Christ and guide
them into becoming involved in the
mission of the Church. Salvation and
Service are the watchwords. Here are a
few things you can do on your special
day:
4. Make it a missionary Club! Looking through my files I found a seminar
given to Pathfinder leaders in the Norwest where the Clubs were challenged to
recruit non-adventist young people to the clubs! Find ways to involve them in the
mission of leading others to Christ.
1. Acquaint the church with the
scope of activities afforded by the
Pathfinder Club. I was invited to speak
at a Pathfinder Day program at the
Beltsville SDA Church in Maryland,
USA. I was very impressed with the
accomplishments of the Club. The
leader promoted the club to the church
and highlighted the accomplishments
and activities that the youth are
involved in throughout the year. I only
2. Promote your day! A Church in Curitiba, Brazil, sent me a flyer
announcing “40 years of searching for the real sense of life”. The Leo Ranzolin
Club had been active for 40 years. We cannot imagine how many boys and girls
were blessed through the years. Many are now the professionals, and some are
working for the Church. The Church needs to know that!
3. Lead them to Christ! One of the most gratifying camporees I attended was
in Villach, Austria. I spent a week with the youth. After a baptismal ceremony, I
made an appeal and 61 young people came forward and gave their lives to Christ.
Pathfindering is a soul-winning program! Include programs to lead them into
making decisions for Christ.
5. Recruit new members and dedicated leaders! A non-adventist relative of
mine attended the activities of a Club in San Diego. Because of attending those
activities her daughter is now a member of the church. There is permanency in
the Pathfinder Club.
6. Allow them to be active participants in the activities of the church. Visiting
a Church in São Paulo, Brazil, where we have more than a 1,000 churches, I saw
a 14 year old pathfinder give the Mission Story! It was touching. Many of the
teacher who led out in the lessons were young people. Participation will keep
them active!
We need to reach 2 million pathfinders! According to the statistics we should
have around 1.8 million! What an army! Help us to reach 2 million youth for the
Lord!
My appeal to the Church is to continue to support the Pathfinder Club.
Pathfindering is more than just another club. It’s a life-changing club that has
as its goal the salvation of our youth. It saves young people. It prepares them for
life, both here and in eternity. Many have found a profession or hobby working
with Honors! Many have become workers and missionaries. Let us continue to
remember our watchwords: Salvation and Service!
Leo Ranzolin, Former Pathfinder World Director 1970-1980
Meaning of the Pathfinder Club Emblem
The Pathfinder Club Emblem has been created with a
meaning in mind. Here you have the meaning.
1. Red (Sacrifice)
a. Reminds us of Christ. “For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting
life.” (John 3:16)
b. “Present your bodies
a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God”
(Rom. 12: 1).
2. Three sides
a. Completeness of the Trinity
-- Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
b. Tripod of education: Mental
- Crafts and Honors; Physical Campouts, work bee, health focus;
Spiritual - Outreach and personal spiritual
development
3. Gold (Excellence)
a. “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the
fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Rev. 3:18).
b. Standard of measurement. The Pathfinder Club
has high standards to help build strong character
for the kingdom of heaven.
4. Shield (Protection)
a. In the Scripture God is often called the shield
of His people.(Protection) “Fear not ... I am thy
shield” (Gen. 15:1)
b. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith
ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked.” (Eph. 6:16)
5. White (Purity)
a. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed
in white raiment” (Rev. 3:5).
b. We desire to have the purity and righteousness
of Christ’s life in our lives.
6. Blue (Loyalty)
a. It is the purpose of the
Pathfinder Club to help
teach us to be loyal to: Our
God in heaven. Our parents.
Our church.
b. Loyalty is defined as a reflection
of the character of our True Master
Guide.
7. Sword (Bible)
a. The sword is used in warfare. A battle
is always won by offense. We are in a battle
against sin, and our weapon is the Word of God.
b. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. (see
Eph. 6:17)
8. Inverted Triangle
a. The inverted order of importance Jesus taught
which is contrary to that taught by the world.
b. Sacrificing of one’s self by placing the needs of
others ahead of our own.
9. Pathfinder Club
a. The Pathfinder Club is one of the organizations
of the world youth ministry of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church.
Pathfinder Day Church Service
PROGRAM NUMBER 1
1. Prelude
2. Ministers enter
3. Silent prayer
4. Doxology
5. Invocation
6. Presentation of Colors
7. Pathfinders march in and take places Pledge and
Law
8. Post flags
9. Honor Guard returns to seats
10. Congregation and Pathfinders seated
11. Scripture reading: 1Timothy 4:12
12. Hymn No. 529, “Under His Wings”
13. Congregational prayer
14. Offering
15. Special music
16. Pathfinder report--Pathfinder club director
17. Sermon by pastor, child preacher, or guest
18. Hymn No. 508, “Anywhere With Jesus”
19. Benediction
20. Postlude
21. Congregation stands
22. Adult Sabbath School can also be directed by
Pathfinders.
PROGRAM NUMBER 2
1. Prelude
2. Personal ministries period Pathfinder missionary
experiences
3. Processional Ministers, directors, pathfinders
4. Introit (platform group kneeling) Choir
5. Doxology
6. Invocation Pathfinder
7. Post Colors Color guard
8. Welcome Pastor
9. Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4:12 Pathfinder
10. Hymn no. 529, “Under His Wings”
11. Prayer Two Pathfinders
12. Pathfinder Song Pathfinders
13. Pathfinder Happenings Teen Pathfinder
14. Pledge and Law Pathfinder choir
15. Song of Instrumental Selection Pathfinders
16. Pathfinder Objectives Club director
17. Offering
18. Sermon Pastor, child preacher, or guest
19. Hymn no. 508, “Anywhere With Jesus”
20. Benediction
21. Recessional
22. Ministers and directors
23. Color guard
24. Staff
25. Pathfinder units and counselors
26. Congregation
Pathfinder Day Church Service
PROGRAM NUMBER 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
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21.
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24.
25.
26.
27.
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29.
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31.
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35.
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37.
38.
Prelude
Personal Ministries Period
Minister and platform personnel enter
Processional: “The Captain Calls for You” Organ,
Piano, and Trumpets
Marching order:
Color guard
Directors
Staff
Pathfinder units
Pledge of allegiance to Bible and flag
Flags and guerdons posted
Invocation
Welcome (Introduces Pathfinder club director) Pastor
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12 Pathfinder
Pathfinder Song Pathfinders & Congregation
Prayer
Special music Pathfinder
Choir
“Pathfinder Happening” (A report) Teen Pathfinder
Pledge Pathfinder
“What Pathfindering Means to Me” Pathfinder
Law Pathfinder
“Why I am a Pathfinder” Pathfinder
Objectives and needs of Club Director, Counselor, or
Teen Pathfinder
Offering
Special music Pathfinders
Sermon Pastor, director, guest speaker, or child
preacher
Hymn No. 529, “Under His Wings”
Benediction
Recessional: “Onward Christian Soldiers” Organ and
piano
Marching Order:
Ministers and directors
Color guard
Staff
Pathfinder units and counselors
Congregation
Congregation stands
PROGRAM NUMBER 4
1.
Prelude
2.
Ministers and platform personnel enter
3.
Doxology and Invocation
4.
Processional: “Onward Christian Soldiers”
5.
(Pathfinders march in led by the national and
Pathfinder flags. Color guards post themselves on
floor in front of pulpit. All stand when flags enter
and remain standing until flags are posted on the
platform.)
6.
Pathfinder Song Pathfinders
7.
Pledge and Law Led by a Pathfinder
8.
Posting of Flags
9.
Scripture Reading:
10. Proverbs 22:6 Pathfinder
11. Ephesians 6:1-4
12. Prayer Pathfinder
13. Welcome and Director’s Report Pathfinder club
director reports on year’s activities, goals for new year
and presents any recognition and awards.
14. Special music Pathfinders
15. “Why I Am a Pathfinder” Pathfinder
16. “How did it all begin?”* Director and six Pathfinders
17. Offering Teen Pathfinder - (Pathfinders)
18. Special music Pathfinder or Pathfinders
19. Sermonette Director, guest, child preacher
20. Hymn no. 543, “Jesus, Friend of Little Children”
21. Benediction Pathfinder
22. Postlude
Pathfinder Day Service
General Program / Morning & Afternoon
1. Sabbath School
14. Special Item (it can be music)
2. Break
15. Closing Song
3. Assemble for Processional Entrance
16. Closing Prayer & Announcements
4. Processional Entrance
17. LUNCH
5. Pathfinder Song
18. Assemble for Street Procession
6. Pledge, Law
7. Welcome & Introductions
8. Song Service
9. Prayer
10. Offering
11. Special Item (it can be music)
12. Scripture Reading
13. Sermon
19. Street Procession
20. Concert
21. Baptisms
22. Closing Ceremony
23. Small and impactant Devotional
24. Closing Prayer
25. Farewell
Pathfinder Pledge
By the grace of God
Only as we rely on God to help us can we do His
will.
I will be pure
I will fill my mind with everything that is Right
and True, and spend my time in activities that
will build a strong, clean character.
I will be kind
I will be considerate and kind not only to my
fellow men, but also to all of God’s creation.
I will be true
I will be honest and upright in study, work and
play, and can always be counted upon to do my
very best.
I will keep the Pathfinder Law
I will seek to understand the meaning of the
Law and will strive to live up to its spirit,
realizing that obedience to law is essential in any
organization.
I will be a servant of God
I will pledge myself to serve God first, last, and
best in everything I am called upon to be or do.
I will be a friend to man
I will live to bless others and do unto them as I
would have them do unto me.
Pathfinder Law
Keep the Morning Watch
I will have prayer and personal bible study each day.
Do my honest part
By the power of God I will help others, and do my
duty and my honest share, wherever I may be.
Care for my body
I will be temperate in all things and strive to reach a
high standard of physical fitness.
Keep a level eye
I will not lie, cheat or deceive, and will despise dirty
talk or evil thinking.
Be courteous and obedient
I will be kind and thoughtful of others, reflecting the
love of Jesus in all my association with others.
Walk softly in the sanctuary
In any devotional exercise I will be quiet, careful and
reverent.
Keep a song in my heart
I will be cheerful and happy and let the incluence of
my life be as sunshine to others.
Go on God’s errands
I will always be ready to share my faith and go about
doing good as did Jesus.
12501 Old Columbia Pike - Silver Spring, Maryland, 20904-6600 USA / http://gcyouthministries.org/