More than 500 pathfinders and adventurers from St. Catherine and over 250 from Manchester and Clarendon were invested on December 2 and 3 in the Central Jamaica Conference (CJC).
The services, held at the Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Mandeville and Sydenham, were organised by the CJC Youth, Children and Adolescents Ministries department led by Pastor Dwayne Scott.
Scott used the theme ‘Celebrating Youth, Unleashing Potential’ to encourage youth to continue to stand up for God. He hopes to see a Pathfinder club established in every congregation in the CJC before long.
On Sabbath, December 2, education director in the Jamaica Union, Pastor Michael Henry, charged investees from Manchester and Clarendon to be genuine in their lives and example to others.
“No matter how pretty your uniform is or how well you can march and sing the Pathfinder song, it is not the uniform and the show that makes you genuine. You have to have the right kind of a heart because man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart,” Henry said.
Youth, Children and Adolescents Ministries director for the North Jamaica Conference, Pastor Amiel Summerbell, echoed similar sentiments as he reminded the St.Catherine investees on December 3 that they are involved in ministry.
“You can't take it lightly that you are being invested today or that you wear the uniform because if you wear it and you don't reflect Christ then it is a waste; you can go and take it off and put it down,” he said, encouraging them to embrace their God-given potential.
Leaders from various fields and institutions brought greetings and support for the investees including Youth Ministries director of the Jamaica Union, Pastor Dane Fletcher, executive secretary of the CJC, Pastor Howard Grant-Langley, president of Northern Caribbean University, Dr. Lincoln Edwards and Chaplain of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Pastor Gary Budhoo-Fletcher.
A few pathfinders shared what the journey to investiture was like. Paul Phillips shared that he stopped attending Pathfinder club meetings for a few weeks but is happy he returned because he got to attend Pathfinder camporee from April 4 to 9 this year which he says was the experience of a lifetime. Adventurer Kaylouise Lewis said being part of the Dorado Pathfinder club has helped her to be kind, make friends and be an example to others at school.
St. Catherine investees Yendi Blake and Jordan Cox said that although it was stressful at times to complete the assignments it was also fun and taught them discipline.
The investees received scarves and badges from master guides as their family and friends cheered them on.
Six youth leaders were also recognised for Outstanding Service to Youth Ministries in the Central Jamaica Conference. They are Georgette Baker and Devon Martin from the Manchester Adventist Youth (AY) Federation, Elder Fernando Brown from the SDAC in Irish Pen, Desmich Johnson from the SDAC in Linstead, Colleen Bartley Grant from the SDAC in Old Harbour Bay and Elder Terrence Clark from the Portmore AY Federation.
The Pathfinder Investiture Program is a special service that rewards members for completing all their requirements during the Pathfinder year and marks the culmination of the year's work.