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Pathfinder Ministry
Cassandra Burton
Objective
To develop an awareness of the
purpose and uniqueness of Pathfinder
ministry and to give an overview of the
history of Pathfindering.
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We will look at;
History in Brief
Pathfinder Emblem meaning
Pathfinder as a Discipleship Ministry
Pathfinder Mission, Philosophy and
Objective
Adventurers, Pathfinders, TLT,
Master Guide programs
What is PATHFINDERING
• Pathfindering is the world-wide, coeducational, junior youth
ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which was
created and developed in Southern California between the
summer of 1928 and the end of 1949 with the program
adopted by the church (GC) for use around the world in 1950.
It is similar to the scouts but has the religious aspect to it.
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What is PATHFINDERING
•For those who are familiar with it, “Pathfindering” conjures up
images of marching, camping, and curious hobbies.
•Enlarging their windows on the world and building a relationship
with God are the dual objectives of Pathfindering.
•With nearly 2 million members around the world, this Seventh-
day Adventist Church-sponsored club accepts any youth who
promises to abide by the Pathfinder Pledge and Law regardless of
their church affiliation.
A Brief History
Through generations the church has taken on the
responsibility of sharing Jesus with our children
1879 – Luther Warren (17) and Harry Fenner (14)
began the Youth Society in their local church
1901 – The General Conference took first steps
in approving the forming of Youth Societies
which were under the umbrella of the Sabbath
School Department and led by Flora Plummer
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1907 GC Session Youth Ministry formerly
established - Missionary Volunteers
First Morning watch
1909 The Junior Missionary Volunteer (JMV)
movement was born
1919 Arthur Spalding developed Mission
Scouts (for boys). Also introduced idea of a
pledge and law
1922 JMV (now AJY) progressive classes
introduced, Friends and Companions, also
Comrade and Master Comrade
1928 Vocational Honours introduced
1929 Pathfinder name first used in a Summer
Camp in Southeastern California
1929 Pathfinder Club was developed for
boys and girls which included JMV classes
and also arts and crafts and other activities.
Local leaders did not agree re the activities
component and felt that it reflected
‘bringing the world into the church’, the
name ‘Pathfinder Club’ was dropped.
1930 Pre JMV/AJY classes developed
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1931 First Master Comrade Investiture
1938 Pathfinder Club organized in California
and the Master Comrade Manual was
published
1946 John Hancock, began first Pathfinder
club in California. GC had by this time
accepted the name ‘Pathfinder Club’
John Hancock also designs the Pathfinder
emblem.
1947 Henry Bergh wrote the Pathfinder Song,
which was copyrighted in 1952
1948 Pathfinder flag was made by Helen
Hobbs
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1948 Area Coordinators introduced and
used for the first time
1950 GC adopted Pathfinder Club. And first
Pathfinder fair took place
1951 Master Comrade changed to Master
Guide and Pathfinder Staff Manual
published
1953 First Pathfinder Camporee took place in
Massachusetts
1956 Explorer class added.
1957 Pathfinder day added to church
calendar
1958-59 Advanced JMV classes added
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1962 Basic Staff Training was introduced
It was a 60 hour course
Now it’s just 10 hours across 2 days
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1962 Master Guide manual revised
1965 Eager Beaver program instituted
1966 Pioneer class added (changed to
Ranger in 1970)
1974 Pathfinder Staff Manual revised and
expanded
1979 MV changed to AY and Pre JMV
changed to Adventurers
1982 New Pathfinder world replaces MV
world
Voyager class added
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1989 Pathfinder Honors Manual revised and
Honors Poster produced in English, French
and Spanish
Pathfinder Leadership Award added
Adventurer Club Handbook printed
Adventurer Club Logo and World Emblems
designed
Adventurer Awards introduced
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1990 Master Guide Teachers Resource
Manual published
1991 PLA Manual published, BST Course
revised
1993 Restructuring of Church Ministries
Department results in the introduction of the
office of Pathfinder Ministries
1994 Adventurer workbooks published
1995 Teens Leadership program established
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2004 NAD Pathfinder Ministries International
Camporee in Oshkosh. 32,000 tickets sold
and close to 200 Pathfinders baptized
2006 Eager Beaver manual copyrighted; ne
Adventurer, Eager Beaver, and Little Lamb
songs are adopted and copyrighted by GC
2007 Little Lamb manual created and
copyrighted
2015 GC in cooperated the Little Lambs and
Eager Beavers program as part of the
Adventurer Program
A Brief History - UK
Pathfindering came to Britain in the mid 1960s
1967 Pst Mike Stickland at conference level
given responsibility for Pathfinders
1991 Warren O'Hara appointed Area
Coordinator
1992 Trevor Harewood appointed Area
Coordinator
1993 First female Area Coordinator appointed,
Sharon Daniels
1995 First group of PLA and BELA Awardees
1997 Natalie Simon, youngest invested Master
guide
1998 Cynthia Harewood appointed Area
Coordinator and Leader of the SEC Master
Guide Club (1999)
2001 Attendance at SEC Pathfinder Camporee
exceeds the 800 mark
2002 Attendance at SEC Adventurer
Camporee passes 400 mark
2012 Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE)
introduced in the UK
2013 Teens Leadership Training (TLT) introduced
in the UK
2013 Teens Leadership Training (TLT) introduced
in the UK
2013 SEC Drum Corps established, and
members picked at the October drill and Drum
Camp
2016 First SEC Joint Overseas Camporee in
Jamaica
2017 First Batch of TLTs complete the 4 year
program
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Pathfinder Club Emblem
Red
White
Blue
Gold
Sacrifice
Purity
Loyalty
Excellence
Pathfinder Club Emblem
Three Sides
Shield
Sword
– Completeness
– Protection
– Bible
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Pathfindering as a
Discipleship Ministry
Ministry is from the Greek word
diakoneo, meaning to “to serve”
Ministry is seen as service to God
and to other people in his name
‘…the Son of Man did not come
to be served, but to serve……’
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their devotion to Christ and their Love for
others, whether the other people are
believers or unbelievers. The ministry should
be impartial and unconditional, always
seeking to help others as Jesus would.
• Jesus demonstrated the importance of
ministering to children when He was on earth.
“Let these little children come to Me. Don’t stop
them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to
such as these” Mt 19:14.
• There are numerous references in the Bible
regarding teaching and training children when
they are young.
Philosophy of Pathfindering
“Train a child in the way he should go, and
when he is old
he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
THE PHILOSOPHY OF PATHFINDERING
• The Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to
understanding young people and training them for leadership
and service to humanity.
• Pathfindering is a church-centred spiritual-recreational
program.
• Pathfindering provides opportunities for the development of
new attitudes and skills that produce personal growth, team or
community spirit and a sense of loyalty and respect for God,
His creation and His church.
• Pathfindering is designed on the premise that children learn
best by example.
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PATHFINDERING as an Outreach Program
• The main purpose of the church is to spread the
Advent message, Pathfindering has this at its core
“The Advent message to all the world in this
generation”.
It is a tool that will:
• Help Pathfinders understand that God loves
them, cares for them and appreciates them.
• Encourage Pathfinders to discover their own
God-given potential.
• Inspire Pathfinders to give personal expressions
of their love for God.
• Therefore the number one priority of the club
program is the personal salvation of each Pathfinder.
We have the opportunity to:
•Build a healthy appreciation and love for God’s
creation into a Pathfinder’s life.
•Teach Pathfinders specific skills and hobbies that will
make their lives more meaningful and will occupy their
time with profitable accomplishments.
•Encourage Pathfinders to keep physically fit.
•Give opportunity to develop and enlist leadership
skills.
•Foster the harmonious development of the physical,
social, intellectual and spiritual life of each Pathfinder.
Philosophy of Pathfindering
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Philosophy of Pathfindering
Phil. 4:8
Pathfindering is fundamentally principles- and
experience-based training so that young people
can more easily transfer the learning to other
areas of life.
– Everything (e.g.: honours,
classwork,) must be affected by
Biblical truth because we are painting
a picture of God for our kids
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Goals of Pathfinder Leadership
Work for the salvation of each individual
Pathfinder.
Assist in developing the Pathfinder’s
appreciation for nature and a concern for
the environment.
Teach Pathfinders specific skills and hobbies
that will make their life meaningful and will
occupy their time profitably.
Help keep Pathfinders physically fit.
Give opportunities for the development of
leadership.
Assist Pathfinders in developing a balanced
physical, mental, social, and spiritual life.
Philosophy of Pathfindering
A Song by Ponder, Harp & Jennings goes:
You’re the only Jesus some will ever see
You’re the only words of life
some will ever read
So let them see in you the
One in whom is all they’ll ever need
For you’re the only Jesus
some will ever see
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Pathfinder Programs
Pathfinder Pledge, Law, Aim, Motto
Motto
The Love of Christ
constrains us
Aim
The Advent message to all
the world in this Generation
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We are the Pathfinders Strong
Pathfinder Song
Oh we are the Pathfinders strong
Servants of 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 is coming back
For you and me.
Adventurer Pledge, Law, Song
Law
Be Obedient
Be Pure
Be True
Be Kind
Be respectful
Be Helpful
Be Cheerful
Be Thoughtful
Be Reverent
Pledge
Because Jesus loves me I
can always do my best Song
We are adventurers
At home at school at play
I’ll be honest kind and true
Be like Jesus through and through
We are Adventurers
Adventurers
Little Lamb – Reception / Age 6
Eager Beaver – Year 1 / Age 5
Busy Bee - Year 2 / Age 6
Sunbeam - Year 3 / Age 7
Builder - Year 4 / Age 8
Helping Hand - Year 5 / Age 9
Pathfinders
• Friend - Year 6 / Age 10
• Companion - Year 7 / Age 11
• Explorer - Year 8 / Age 12
• Ranger - Year 9 / Age 13
• Voyager - Year 10 / Age 14
• Guide - Year 11 / Age 15
Adventurer Curriculum Overview
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Pathfinder Curriculum Overview Adventurer Awards & Pathfinder Honors
Introduces kids to a variety of
interests
Arts & Crafts, Household Arts, Nature,
Outdoor Industries, Outreach Ministries,
Recreational, Vocational
• Provides an opportunity for kids to learn
and discover new hobbies or even find
careers
PATHFINDERING Programs
Within a Club year
Registration
•Induction
•Club Sessions
•Investiture
•Pathfinder Day
•Camps
PBE - Pathfinder Bible Experience
Introduced in 2012
For Pathfinders aged 10+
Each given certain books of the bible to study
along with commentary introduction to that book.
Clubs can have as many teams as they wish each
team compromising of 6 pathfinders.
Levels – Area / Conference / Union / Division
Books for 2018 are;
Daniel & Esther
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Introduced in 2013
Begins at Voyager stage – age 14
Challenges – Teen who commits to learning
more about leadership in the Pathfinder
organization
Empowers with new responsibility - Assists
staff members in all functions of the club
During a 4-year program, the TLT is trained
in Club Administration, Counseling, Classwork
& Honors, Finances, Outreach, Camping, &
Security
TLT – Teens Leadership Training
Master Guide
This continues to be the highest level of
Invested leadership within the Adventurer/
Pathfinder programs of the church.
It focuses on one’s personal spiritual life and
growth first and foremost. General leadership
skills are then woven into the sharpening of
those skills, which are specifically geared to
leading youth in God-ordained areas of
development: understanding God’s world of
nature, outreach ministry, service to others,
and a life-style that denotes healthy living
Master Guide Objective
To provide opportunities for participants to
develop an awareness of the role of
child/youth leadership and become better
prepared to accept this role by receiving
training in:
Personal and Spiritual Development
Skills Development
Leadership Development
Fitness Life-style Development