Lake Region—Young people can make a difference in their church and community. The Berean Eagles Pathfinders from South Bend, Ind., did just that. After witnessing a drum corps formed at the first drum corps camp instituted by Anthony Kelly, former Lake Region Conference youth director, under the direction of Ronneil Harewood, a student at Andrews University, there were a number of young people interested in participating. So the Berean Eagles Pathfinder Club started a drum corps with only six Pathfinders, but they had a problem—no drums. However, this did not lessen the young people's desire. They realized that to practice, drums were not required. All they needed were their hands, mouth, furniture and floors. Just ask the parents about the condition of the furniture and how often they found themselves at work humming rudiments over and over.

The club's focus was for the Pathfinders to play a bigger part in their community, so club directors asked the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation if the Pathfinders could participate in their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Walk. When the drum corps learned they would be included in the Walk, drums were borrowed. The Berean Eagles Pathfinder drum corps led the Martin Luther King Jr. Walk, starting in January 2000, and have since become a staple. Among the many walkers was Stephen Luecke (mayor of South Bend), U.S. congressmen, city dignitaries, pastors, church members and friends. All were amazed and in awe of the precision and discipline of this young drum corps.

When the drum corps began to receive invitations to play at events nearby, the search for lighter-weight drums continued. For almost two years, the drum corps traveled back and forth to pick up drums from the All Nations Church. Sometimes they had to turn down event invitations because of schedule conflicts when the drums weren't available.

The Pathfinder drum corps played at many churches, parades for Memorial Day and the Black Expo, etc., American Diabetes Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walks, youth federations and congresses, and Pathfinder fairs and camporees. A crowning moment was when the drum corps was invited to represent the Lake Region Conference on the opening night of the "Faith on Fire" camporee in Osh Kosh, Wis.

At the various events, the drum corps informed listeners of their need to purchase drums. Donations came in from a variety of sources, such as the Lake Region Conference youth ministries, Bayer HealthCare, Black Expo of Fort Wayne, Charles Martin Center, Memorial Day Parade of Mishawaka and Berean Church members. Fundraisers were also held. Last year, the last drum and cymbal was purchased for the 14-member drum corps. But now the group's numbers are increasing, so additional drums are needed.

Another memorable moment for the drum corps was when they were invited to a JDRF banquet. At the banquet, the Pathfinders received an award and standing ovation for their contribution in the JDRF Walk. As the drum corps was leaving, a lady stopped them to express how grateful she was that the young people took the time to play for the Walk. Her nine-year-old daughter had been diagnosed with diabetes a few months before, and though her daughter wanted to participate in the Walk, the mother did not want to. The lady said that as soon as she heard the drums play and saw the young people, she felt a burden had been lifted off her shoulders, and she felt lightness in her heart. She was teary-eyed, and so were we. We thanked her for confirming what the Lord wanted us to do with this club.

How this group impacted the community came to light on Mon., Jan. 21, when the drum corps received the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award in recognition of their dedication, discipline, enthusiasm and leadership in the community.

Most of these young people in the group are on the honor roll, have leadership positions in their school and play other instruments. The drum corps has become widely known in Indiana and Michigan for their drumming and beat techniques, and have been sought after for different events. However, we give all the glory, praise and honor to God, for through God's hands these Pathfinders have touched many lives with this ministry. Pathfindering is alive and well, and we pray that our club will continue to spread God's love through this ministry.

Herb and Kim Henley, co-directors, Berean Eagles Pathfinder Club