September 17, 2021 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | Ted N.C. Wilson, President, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Greetings, friends! I’m delighted to let you know that this Sabbath, September 18, is a very exciting event for thousands of young people around the world–It is World Pathfinder Day! Let’s begin by watching a short video prepared by the General Conference’s Youth Ministries Department.
Are you ready? I’m ready, are you? It’s right around the corner. It’s almost here.
You’re Pathfinder, you are ready!
Whatever language you speak, from wherever you are, we are all Pathfinders. One day a year we all join together as one to celebrate being a Pathfinder. “World Pathfinder Day” is just around the corner and even after 71 years we never stop, now more than ever before millions of Pathfinders all around the world are shouting “I Will Go” wherever the Lord calls! September 18th, 2021 will be another World Pathfinder day to remember. Resources for this special event will be available soon on our website “gcyouthministries.org”, every day, every hour we are Pathfinders strong, the servants of God are we.
The Pathfinder Club began in 1950, encouraging young people in their physical, mental, social, and spiritual growth through various programs, activities, camporees, and more. Now, 71 years later, the organization is still going strong, with more than 1.5 million Pathfinders and 40,000 clubs spread across more than 150 countries around the world!
We praise God for our dear young people, and for their parents and leaders who are taking such an active role in guiding and nurturing these Pathfinders, helping them develop in a wholesome, wholistic way, with a love for God and others. You are helping them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who, according to Luke 2:52, “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Leaders, remember that the children and youth under your care are watching you. They are looking to you to model what it means to be a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. I encourage you to maintain high moral principles, a love for God and His Word, and a positive, happy, caring, and secure atmosphere in your Pathfinder Clubs. Encourage your Pathfinders to discover their God-given potential and to use their gifts and skills for Him. Inspire them to personally express their love for God and make the personal salvation of every Pathfinder your number one priority.
You can definitely make an impact for eternity as you lead these young people. We read in the wonderful book, Christian Service, that “We have an army of youth today who can do much if they are properly directed and encouraged. We want our children to believe the truth. We want them to be blessed of God. We want them to act a part in well-organized plans for helping other youth. Let all be so trained that they may rightly represent the truth, giving the reason of the hope that is within them, and honoring God in any branch of the work where they are qualified to labor” (p. 30).
And now a few words to our young friends, the Pathfinders! Dear Pathfinders, you are very special to God, and to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. You are loved and appreciated. Your positive influence is needed! You are never too young to follow God’s leading, and as a Pathfinder, He has given you a way to find the right path. In Psalm 119:105 we read, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
My young friends, as long as you follow this lamp–God’s Word—you will always be on the right path! May He bless you as you follow Him today and every day is my prayer.
Once again, congratulations on World Pathfinder Day, and 71 years of Pathfindering!
Let me pray with you now. Father in heaven please bless the Pathfinders all around this globe, bless their leaders be with the parents of these Pathfinders and Lord encourage everyone of them to follow your way, to follow the pathway that will lead them to the foot of the cross and service for you and to others. Lord thank you for the Pathfinders of this wonderful global church and may the Pathfinders be an integral part, saying yes lord here I am, send me, use me, I will go. Thank you Lord, for blessing the Pathfinders. In Jesus name we ask it, amen.