BERRIEN SPRINGS, Mich. – Thousands of Pathfinders stood at attention Sabbath morning, Sept. 26, as longtime youth leader Ron Whitehead was called to the stage for an unexpected recognition.
During the Lake Union’s “Unbreakable” Pathfinder Camporee, held Sept. 24 to 27 at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds, leaders announced Whitehead’s retirement after more than four decades of ministry devoted largely to children, youth and young adults.
Lake Union President Elden Ramirez invited Whitehead and his family forward, emphasizing that the decades of ministry being recognized were a shared journey.
“Pastor Ron Whitehead is someone extremely special, but he would tell you that this has been a family endeavor,” Ramirez said. “Behind every great leader, there is an amazing wife and an incredible team behind him, and that is his family.”
Whitehead has served Lake Union youth ministries since 1996. His career has included pastoral and youth leadership across four North American Division unions, service as an NAD associate youth director, and roles at Andrews University as assistant to the president for spiritual life and assistant professor of youth ministry.
He also led the Center for Youth Evangelism for nearly three decades while serving the Lake Union, before transitioning in 2025 to the full-time role of director of children’s, youth and young adult ministries.
His influence, however, extended far beyond the Lake Union.
Whitehead directed seven International Pathfinder Camporees, beginning with “Dare to Care” in Colorado in 1994. Over the next three decades, the gathering grew from just over 12,000 participants to more than 55,000 Pathfinders from around the world.
Craig Harris, Michigan Conference director of Club Ministries and associate youth director, reflected on the reach of Whitehead’s ministry.
“You’ve invested in the Union. You’ve invested in the North American Division, General Conference,” Harris said.
Harris also credited Whitehead with helping shape the International Pathfinder Camporee into what it became.
“It is because of Ron that the International Pathfinder Camporee grew to what it did,” Harris said.
But the Camporee was only one part of Whitehead’s broader imprint on youth ministry.
Over the years, the ideas kept coming.
In 2001, the Center for Youth Evangelism launched WeCare, mobilizing young people for disaster response. Whitehead’s vision for the Andrews University Easter Passion Play followed in 2003. Cruise With a Mission launched in 2007, and in 2008, Whitehead and Japhet De Oliveira helped create the 180° Symposium. Church of Refuge followed around 2009, with a focus on helping congregations better connect with youth and young adults.
Then, in 2013, Whitehead helped launch the Lake Union Youth Evangelism Congress, giving young people more than encouragement to evangelize. It gave them resources to put their ideas into action. Since the Youth Evangelism Congress began, 122 youth-led ministries have received more than $589,000 in confirmed support, with additional matching funds contributed by conferences and local churches.
Behind the Camporees and programs, those closest to Whitehead say his ministry has always been personal.
“When I married Ron, I knew life with him was going to be an adventure, but I had no idea just how extraordinary that adventure would become,” said his wife, Betty Whitehead, in an interview.
Betty eventually became producer of the five-night musical dramas presented at the International Pathfinder Camporees. She traces that journey to a Camporee in New South Wales, Australia, 26 years ago, where the couple watched Pathfinders respond to a dramatic presentation of the biblical story of Joseph.
“Ron and I looked at each other and knew that we needed to bring that same kind of experience to our own Camporee,” she said.
Still, Betty said, the events themselves were never the point.
“Without a doubt, Ron’s favorite part of every Camporee has always been the baptisms,” she said, describing the joy he found in seeing young people publicly give their lives to Jesus.
“Through every season and every role, it has always been about the people, especially young people,” she said. “He has wanted them to know how deeply Jesus loves them.”
At home, Betty said, that connection with young people has always come naturally.
“What I hope people remember most about Ron is that, at heart, he has always been a kid himself,” she said.
Their grandchildren know him as the grandfather who plays and fishes with them, takes them to the park, teases them and can turn something as ordinary as a trip to the hardware store into an adventure, “with popcorn, of course.”
Betty believes that same sense of joy shaped his ministry.
“Whether he was a pastor, youth director, summer camp director, or executive director of the Camporee, his message was always that following Jesus should be an adventure,” she said.
Khaikhai Cin, a former Lake Union Youth Evangelism Congress director mentored by Whitehead, said he experienced that personal investment firsthand. He remembers receiving unexpected texts from Whitehead simply reminding him that he was being prayed for.
“Leadership is not just about meetings, programs, numbers, or getting things done,” said Cin. “It is also about people. It is about caring for people and letting them know that they matter.”
One moment particularly stayed with him.
When Cin was preparing to leave Michigan for a pastoral call in Washington, Whitehead made time in his schedule to attend Cin’s farewell Sabbath at his home church, a Zomi refugee church plant in Grand Rapids.
“He took the time to meet my family and spend time with my church family,” Cin said. “That meant a lot to me.”
As the recognition at Camporee drew to a close, Harris called the Pathfinders to attention.
“Pathfinders, present arms.”
Thousands of Pathfinders held their salutes in silence as Whitehead raised his own. He held it as long as he could, then lowered his hand and wiped away tears.
“Pastor Ron Whitehead, thank you for being a servant of God and a friend to man.”
“Pathfinders, order arms.”
On the count of three, the Pathfinders answered in unison:
“Pathfinder strong.”
As the salute ended, youth directors from across the Lake Union, North American Division, General Conference and International Pathfinder Camporee gathered around Whitehead and his family for prayer.
“In all my years of knowing Pastor Ron, it’s not been about him. It’s been about You,” said Charlie Thompson, Indiana Conference youth director, his voice breaking as he prayed. “I am here today because of Pastor Ron.”
Felicia Tonga is a freelance writer.