By Anesta Henry
After being significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church’s Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs are recruiting new members.
Speaking at the Seventh Day Adventist School Pathfinders Uniform Day, Youth Ministries Director for the East Caribbean Conference of the SDA, Miguel Denny, told Barbados TODAY that the pandemic affected the clubs’ ability to host activities.
However, he said, now that the COVID-19 restrictions and protocols had been lifted, there has been a gradual resurgence and revival within local clubs.
“It comes with much effort and sacrifice, but we are seeing progress as the year continues. We are in a new year now and hope that by God’s grace, we can get back into full swing in our different churches and societies.
“Within our island, we should have about 600-700 adventurers and pathfinders across the board. Our conference serves Barbados and Dominica, which would bring that number close to 1000,” Denny said.
He disclosed that the Pathfinders Uniform Day was spearheaded by Pastor Jason Peters, the conference’s Assistant Youth Ministries Director and chaplain for both schools.
The activity was designed to educate the school body about both ministries, which host sessions weekly.
“Primarily, many of our students are pathfinders and adventurers at other adventurer churches. These clubs are for students who might not have a club at their local schools. We are encouraging all the students who are part of a uniformed ministry, whether pathfinder or adventure, to come out today in their uniform to show off what they have learnt and, in turn, inspire others who are not affiliated with a club to join our clubs at the school.
“The secondary school and the primary school will be doing three major acts of service, making three donations to several organisations, the [Barbados] Cancer Society, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, as well as the nursery just across the road from us,” Pastor Denny said.
Members of the Adventurer Club range in ages between four and nine, while the Pathfinder ministry is open to children from ages ten to 15. On Wednesday, some teachers also wore their Master Guide uniforms for the occasion.
Pastor Denny said that while all were invited to join the
Pathfinder and Adventurer ministries, only baptised Seventh-Day Adventist members are allowed to be a part of the Master Guide Ministry.
“We encourage and invite anyone who wishes to be a part of this ministry, especially the Adventure and Pathfinder ministries, to find one of our local Seventh Day Adventist churches where the Adventurer and Pathfinder ministries are being held.
“Or, you join us at the Bridgetown SDA Primary School, or at the Barbados Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School, where we will be launching these initiatives again this school year,” Pastor Denny said.
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