Around 2,000 members and leaders of the Pathfinders Club in the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) church region of the Seventh-day Adventist Church met at Taiwan Adventist College for the 2nd region-wide Pathfinder Camporee, from August 8-12. Under the theme “Contact+, Experience Jesus,” members traveled not only from across Taiwan but also from Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and others. And just like what happened at the first NSD camporee, many Pathfinders came from outside the NSD territory, including United Arab Emirates, United States, and all the way from Brazil.
NSD Education, Sabbath School, and Personal Ministries director Richard Sabuin was the main guest speaker at the event. He shared inspiring messages with titles such as “Born Again,” “Great Reward of Faith,” and “I Am Jesus.”
Sabuin stressed the importance of personal contact with Jesus Christ, illustrating his sermon with the fascinating stories of Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman at the well, the Roman centurion, and Apostle Paul. The common thread? “All of them had personal contact with Jesus and were transformed,” he said.
Daily programs began with the inspirational messages from world church leaders. Abner De Los Santos, a General Conference vice-president, encouraged young and older people by reminding them of God’s dreams for them, and what we can do to be part of those dreams. “God has special expectations and purposes for our lives,” he said. “But to listen to His messages, we need to watch and pray. We should go and preach the gospel message of Jesus’ second coming and His salvation so that we fulfill His purpose for us.”
During the day, participants could choose between around 40 different activities on various topics, such as “Christian Manners,” “Post-Card Making,” and “Kite Flying.”
Every evening, the program began with a parade of the various groups taking part in the event. When 230 Chinese delegates entered the stage, all the participants welcomed them with a long applause. The daily video sketches, produced by the Chinese Hope Channel, shared a daily report of the day’s activities.
The NSD Golden Angels Music Ministry singing group sang beautifully during the meetings. As they performed at various times from early morning programming through the evening gathering, their inspiring music touched the hearts of the young attendees. “I've never heard music so beautiful as this,” said one participant from the US. “It was music that encouraged me a lot.”
NSD President Jairyong Lee said leaders enjoyed the program. “We saw a very well- prepared schedule during the five days [of the event],” he said. “We should always remember that we are missionaries for God, and must use what we have learned here for mission in our homes, schools, churches, and our neighborhood.”
“I truly praise God for guiding us to finish this camporee successfully,” said NSD Youth Director Nak Hyung Kim, who coordinated the whole event, during his closing remarks. “I would like to express my deep thanks to all the Pathfinder members and leaders, staff members, and church leaders.”
The Camporee flag was given to the Korean Union Conference, that will hold the next NSD Pathfinder Camporee in South Korea. Young Adventist participants indicated that they were leaving the event with happiness and gratitude to God, as they enjoyed a magnificent fireworks show that filled the Taiwanese night with multicolored lights.
“We are already looking forward to the next camporee,” they said.
