Inter-America’s Pathfinder Camporee Opens with Fireworks and Focused on the Life of Biblical Ruth

Inter-America open its IV Pathfinder Camporee with fireworks, music and drama, Apr. 11, 2017, at Mirador del Este Park in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

April 12, 2017 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Libna Stevens/IAD

Amid shouts, sprinting flag bearers and synchronized waves across the breezy outdoor amphitheater in Santo Domingo, thousands of pathfinders from hundreds of local Seventh-day Adventist Churches in the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory set an energetic tone to the official opening of Inter-America’s 4^th Pathfinder Camporee last night.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic, welcomed more than 13,000 pathfinders during the opening event. Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

More than 13,000 young people crowded together in their uniforms to witness a grand welcome from Adventist leaders and city officials. The event included fireworks, a parade of nations, a musical drama performance on the biblical book of Ruth and her journey into Moab, as well as a spiritual message that set the tone of the five-day event.

“We want to offer you the opportunity to retreat, socialize and learn how to become effective leaders today and in the future in your churches across the 24 unions [or regions] in Inter-America,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America as he declared the event officially open.

Pathfinders clapped and shouted as the program was sprinkled with local drum corps, marching, and music, as fireworks, popping confetti, and colorful balloons drew focus on the theme of the week for young people to understand that they come from a “Lineage of Champions.”

“You will not only find a wonderful story in the book of Ruth, but you will see the God of that story,” said Yamileth Bazán, vice president of student affairs from La Sierra University, as she delivered the devotional message. Bazán urged the core group of young people, ages 10-15, to dive into the Word of God, let it come alive and help them realize where their identity should be, as she reflected on Ruth 1:1-2.

Louise Nocandy, associate youth ministries director for the church in Inter-America. Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

“Your identity only comes from God because you are a son or daughter of the living God,” emphasized Bazán. “Sometimes we put our identity with many other things, we put identity in titles, in other persons, but your life must be filled with the identity that you are God’s and it is not about the earthly lineage but an eternal lineage.”

Organizers said they want thousands to have a closer encounter with Jesus as they study, pray, witness and play together at the Miramar del Este Park in the middle of the bustling capital city.

The camporee is about setting the atmosphere to aid youngsters and campers towards a transformation in Jesus in readiness for His Second Coming, said Louise Nocandy, youth ministries associate director and main organizer of the camporee.  “It is about edifying the body, mind and soul, and developing the seed of leadership and learning for service and the fulfillment of the mission,” stated Nocandy.

Members of the Doulos Pathfinder Club from Montemorelos University celebrate together before the program began. Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

Mayor of the Santo Domingo East Municipal Alfredo Martínez thanked the Seventh-day Adventist Church for choosing to host such a positive event for thousands of young people from across dozens of countries.

“Your workshops, classes, crafts and outdoor meetings strengthen your young people to take care of nature and the environment, strengthen relationships within the community and the church within,” said Martínez. Mayor Martínez was accompanied by Senator Cristian Lizardo of the Province of Santo Domingo, Captain Felix Quintin of the Dominican Republic Armed Forces, and leaders and members of the Scout Marines.

For Ryan Stewart, 16, of Freeport, Bahamas, seeing so many peers from different nationalities and colors in one place is something that he is still processing. “Just standing here on opening night helps me understand how global the Adventist Church is,” said Steward. “It’s like even though we do not all speak the same language we get by and understand each other.” He is among five pathfinders who came from the North Bahamas Conference and is soaking up every minute of the event.

Performers during the drama presentation on Ruth’s journey to Moab. Image by Daniel Gallardo/IAD

It is not the first time for Jusnely Rosado of Puerto Rico to be part of a large camporee. She attended the world church’s camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 2014 with her Soldiers of Jesus Pathfinder Club.  “It’s really impressive just to feel all the happy energy all around this camporee.”  She said the camporee is encouraging her to focus on her spiritual life and learn from the journey Ruth made.

“Ruth was such a strong, faithful woman, who left everything she knew to start a new life and God rewarded her immensely,” said Rosado. “I wanted make this journey here to seal my faithfulness to Jesus in everything that I do.” She is looking forward to making new friends and taking part in the marching competition later this week.

The opening night closed with a special prayer session focused on children with special needs in the Dominican Republic and across the Inter-American Division, as well as for the spiritual growth and experience of the thousands of pathfinders and leaders during the event.

Pathfinders will get to participate in marches, special honor classes, sports events, competitions and more throughout the week.

To view a photo gallery of the camporee, visit flikr.com/photos/interamerica

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