Sue Nelson

16 Mar

RMC PATHFINDER CLUB ADVANCE IN NATIONAL BIBLE COMPETITION

In

RMCNews with Sue Nelson – Denver, Colorado … The 2022 Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) competition kicked off January 29 at the Fort Collins Adventist Church, with nine RMC Pathfinder clubs vying for a spot so that they can advance to the Mid-America Union competition on February 19.

The annual event is similar to a Bible Bowl where teams study and memorize a book of the Bible. This year, Pathfinders are studying 1 Kings.

Nine teams were reduced to five after the first event on January 29. They returned a week later to compete for two spots in the Mid-America Union Conference PBE. Those two spots were secured by Aurora Las Aguilas and Loveland Cougars teams, who competed for first place in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Competing in the PBE is deeper than just another competition, explains Aurora Las Aguilas team captain Clemente Martinez Jr. “We feel like the main focus of this experience isn’t just the competition itself or the amount of studying that each one of us do. It’s all about learning that certain stories and experiences that the people of God went through [can be] used by us as examples of how we should live our lives, and to reflect on the power that God has shown throughout the Bible.”

Martinez Jr. explained the process the Aurora Las Aguilas Pathfinders use to memorize Scripture. “We always have one method to study for PBE, and that is to memorize the majority, if not all of the chapters. We ask ourselves questions like how, when, where, and why of every chapter. Every question that is presented to us, we analyze before answering because sometimes there are simple ones and sometimes, confusing ones. Analyzing has proved to give good results.”

The two RMC teams competed against 17 other teams to secure one of the four spots in order to advance to the North America Division PBE on April 22 and 23.

The Aurora Las Aguilas came in first and are looking forward to the NAD competition.

Reflecting on the 2022 experience, Lonnie Nelson, Mid-America Union Conference PBE coordinator, said, “We added 13 new job positions utilizing more staff from each conference than ever before. This year was a team effort that was enjoyable to be a part of. My hat goes off to all leaders and staff at all levels for helping PBE run smoothly.”

–Sue Nelson is RMC Pathfinder Co-Coordinator; photos by Tim Floyd, Kansas-Nebraska Conference youth director

08 Nov

RMC PATHFINDER LEADERS MEET TO DISCUSS 2022 EVENTS

In

RMCNews with Sue Nelson – Ward, Colorado … Rocky Mountain Conference Pathfinder Council recently gathered on October 15 – 17 for a weekend of planning, fellowship, and spiritual refueling at the annual Adventurer and Pathfinder council meetings.

The group of 40 gathered at Glacier View Ranch to discuss and strategize and organize next year’s Pathfinder events.

The weekend began with ice breakers led by teen coordinators Roberto and Adriana Mira, which got everyone a little twisted.  The evening concluded with the group spending time in prayer.

Sabbath began with training and discussion with area coordinators. The training focused on equipping the coordinators with the knowledge to assist new clubs in forming and being mentors to the club directors. The teen representatives gathered to discuss what their responsibilities were and how they could help.

The morning continued with a worship service led by Chris Morris, Littleton church associate pastor, focusing on putting our trust in God and how we are a masterpiece.

The afternoon offered a hike led by Brent Learned, RMC assistant youth director, where the group was joined by a family of moose.

The weekend concluded on Sunday by discussing a long list of agenda items at the general business meeting for Pathfinders.

The Pathfinder leaders departed GVR reenergized and looking forward to what 2022 holds for RMC Pathfinder clubs.

–RMCNews with Sue Nelson, the co-coordinator for RMC Pathfinders; photo supplied

20 Sep

INVESTMENT OF TWO MASTER GUIDES AT PATHFINDER LEADERSHIP WEEKEND

In

RMCNews with Sue Nelson – Ward, Colorado … Leaders young and old descended on Glacier View Ranch to study, fellowship, and celebrate together at the annual Pathfinder and Adventurer leadership training.

The gathering, held September 10–12, hosted 140 leaders from 50 clubs throughout Rocky Mountain Conference. The fellowship between leaders was greatly anticipated as well as appreciated. The first in-person leadership training in two years.

Addressing the crowd on Sabbath, Ron Whitehead, director of the Center for Youth Ministry, explained that the Rocky Mountain Conference will have the honor of hosting 60 thousand Pathfinders in three years at the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming.  “Rocky Mountain Conference will be the host to the world,” Whitehead said.

“Our conference will have the unique opportunity to host overseas clubs who will be flying in from many other countries but will not be able to bring tents or food with them. We can invite these clubs to camp and eat with us, thus forming lasting friendships and international experiences. We are all very excited and cannot wait for 2024,” expressed Sue Nelson, RMC Pathfinder co-coordinator.

On Sabbath, an investment ceremony of two new Master Guides from the Golden, Colorado Falcons Adventurer Club was held.  The club ministries website of the North American Division defines a master guide as “a responsibility more than status. The Master Guide 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.” The ceremony was led by Chris Hill, former RMC Adventurer and Pathfinder executive.

One attendee, commenting on the investment ceremony, said it was a privilege to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of the two individuals invested.

Attendees had the opportunity to attend a question-and-answer forum that allowed newer staff to interact with those more experienced and raise questions about local club issues. Those studying to become Master Guides attended classes to help them with requirements. Other classes were held on the stars, origami, and a new honor piloted in RMC researching pikas,  little rodent-type animals that live exclusively in high mountain altitudes.  A new director’s course also covered the basics of starting up a new club.

Reflecting on the honor classes, Kathy Dorn-Walker, RMC Pathfinder trainer, commented, “We studied ways of teaching Pathfinders the stars honor and learned how to tell Bible stories with different constellations. The Glory of God in the heavens!”

Adventurer award classes during the weekend outing included safety, horsemanship, and healthy foods. The Pathfinder honors taught were outreach, backpacking, and knots. Classes were also offered in Spanish, and the Adventurer award in Spanish included friend of Jesus, health, and missionaries.

— RMCNews with Sue Nelson, RMC Pathfinder co-coordinator; photos supplied

A Pika

12 Aug

GVR HOSTS RMC PATHFINDER CAMPOREE 2021

In

By RMCNews with Sue Nelson – Ward, Colorado … Glacier View Ranch came alive, August 5 through 8, with the sounds of laughter and joy as 170 Pathfinders and one bear flocked to the camp for the annual RMC camporee.

The yearly event, which was canceled last year, began with honors and activities. The group also did the typical Pathfinder activities, including flag raising and lowering each day, with the clubs providing the color guards. Inspections were held for the best-themed campsite, with the winning club receiving a gift certificate to Cabela’s.

Sabbath was the highlight of the event, according to Sue Nelson, RMC Pathfinder co-coordinator. “We were blessed to have Pastor Michael Taylor [from Campion church] speak to us about learning to study God’s Word using the acronym, S.O.A.P. Ask a Pathfinder what that is.”

Dan Hansen, Glacier View Ranch manager, spoke to the Pathfinders about Moses during Sabbath School, which included a peanut butter sandwich and another one-of-a-kind sandwich.

The afternoon was packed with adventure as the Pathfinders set off for an activity that combined orienteering and geocaching.

The weekend concluded with a program honoring Papa Don and Mema (Don and Chris Hill) for their 15 years of service to the Pathfinder and Adventurer ministries in RMC as they have moved to Arkansas to retire.

To learn about upcoming Pathfinder and Adventure events, please visit www.rmcap.org

–RMCNews with Sue Nelson is RMC Pathfinder co-coordinator; photo supplied