Michigan—Twenty-three Pathfinder teams arrived at Andrews University on April 20 for the Invitational/Division Level Pathfinder Bible Achievement (PBA) weekend. Invitees had already received first place recognition in the Area, Conference, and Union levels of Pathfinder Bible Achievement.
The Pathfinders were blessed throughout the weekend with special programs just for them. Some teams arrived early, so they could tour the Historic Adventist Village in Battle Creek, Mich.
Participating teams represented the Atlantic, Canadian, Columbia, Lake, North Pacific, Pacific, Southern, and Southwestern unions, which required translation in French and Spanish. Approximately 450 Pathfinders assembled at Pioneer Memorial Church on Sabbath afternoon to answer questions from Deuteronomy Chapter 30 to Joshua Chapter 24, and from the Introduction to Joshua in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary.
Lana Miller from the Pullman Reflectors Pathfinder club in Michigan said, "Pathfinder Bible Achievement has really blessed me this year. I know more about the book of Joshua and the last five chapters of Deuteronomy than most pastors do, which is really cool. I won't forget it either. It's forever ingrained into my brain."
Larissa Gensolin, a member of the Chehalis Mountaineers Pathfinder club in Washington, reflected on her experience. "PBA has been an encouragement for me to memorize and understand Scripture. This knowledge is, in turn, leading me to know God and making me realize my great need for Him. Learning to be a team player, flying across the country to Michigan, and feeling happy that other teams from the North Pacific Union were going too, made the effort in participating in the PBA events all worthwhile."
Nonye Imo, from the Houston Royal Knights Pathfinder club in Texas, said, "Pathfinder Bible Achievement is not just about representing your hometown or club, but it's about learning and applying what you read."
The teams answered 90 questions. Each question was read twice and projected on a screen. The Pathfinders had ten seconds to decide the correct answer, unless multiple answers were required. When team members reached a consensus, a scribe wrote their answer on a piece of paper. At the signal, each team showed their answer to their first level judge. If the team wished to challenge the scoring of any question, it was reviewed by the panel of judges for a final decision.
At the end of the day, team scores were tallied. Placement was determined by the percentage of correctly answered questions. A seal was applied to team certificates to indicate placement and then presented to team captains. Every team member receives an engraved bar for each level of achievement to attach to their Pathfinder Bible Achievement pin.
Terry Dodge, Pathfinder Bible Achievement founder and director, said, "One of the joys of the PBA is that every team determines the place they will finish by the amount of time they put into the Bible study."
Lake Union First Place Teams
Southeastern Soldiers (Indiana)
Eau Claire Critters (Michigan)
Pioneer Memorial Church Evergreens (Michigan)
Lake Union Second Place Team
Pullman Reflectors (Michigan)
There were no Lake Union third place teams. For a complete list of winning teams, visit the June issue online at www.lakeunionherald.org.
Dodge expressed, "They all did a great job and deserve much credit for their accomplishments."
Jonatan Tejel, Pathfinder director for the World Church, said, "May the Lord continue to help Terry Dodge and his team give our Pathfinders the [opportunity] to learn more about the Bible. I will be praying for them because they are working for our kids and for the Lord."
The Pathfinder Bible Achievement program was developed in 1987. It encourages Pathfinders to study the Bible, while they also learn teamwork and excellent study skills. For additional information about Pathfinder Bible Achievement, visit www.pathfinderbibleachievement.org.
Diane Thurber, Lake Union Herald managing editor, with Terry Dodge, Michigan Conference Pathfinder director and Pathfinder Bible Achievement director
First Place Teams
Southeastern Soldiers (Indiana)
Braintree Flames (Massachusetts)
Eau Claire Critters (Michigan)
Pioneer Memorial Church Evergreens (Michigan)
Beer-sheba Sinai (Quebec)
Salem Aigles (Quebec)
Edinburg Castles (Texas)
Houston International His Hikers (Texas)
Houston Royal Knights (Texas)
Keene Rocketeers (Texas)
Chehalis Mountaineers (Washington)
Mattawa Lions (Washington)
Yakima Braves (Washington)
Second Place Teams
Danbury-Bethel (Connecticut)
Triadelphia Sparks (Maryland)
Pullman Reflectors (Michigan)
Harrisburg Diplomats (Pennsylvania)
Westmount Crusaders (Quebec)
Highland Warriors (Tennessee)
Conroe Tigers (Texas)
Richardson Crusaders (Texas)
Riverside Chinooks (Washington)
Third Place Team
Glendale Raptors (Arizona)
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If space permits, Ron would like a small box with a plug for the Camporee on the page with this article. I need to ask Gary if this would be too much like a display ad without pay.
2009 Camporee title: Courage to Stand
Theme: Esther
Date: Aug. 11-15, 2009
Place: Oshkosh, Wis.
Web site: www.camporee.org
Office phone: 269-471-8380 or 1-800-Youth-2-U
Office location: Center for Youth Evangelism, Andrews University Campus
