Eli Gonzalez – Ward, Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Pathfinder Camporee was celebrated at the Pathfinder Village at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, July 31-August 3. Pathfinder Village is at an altitude of 8,600 feet above sea level, so attendees experienced temperature drops to as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit as well as rain in the evenings. But the Pathfinders and their supporting family members were not discouraged.

The theme for this year was “Know Jesus,” and the theme song was “Before I Knew Jesus” by Leanna Crawford. The goal was to motivate the Pathfinder club members in their physical, spiritual, and mental life. They were able to accomplish this by completing the Prayer Honor where they were involved in classes full of prayer and activities interacting with members from other clubs.

The Pathfinder club members received incredible motivational messages from guest speakers Tyrone Douglas, Mid-America Union Youth director, and Voice of Prophecy associate speaker and pastor Alex Rodriguez.

“It was such a blessing to see how Pastor Tyrone captured the Pathfinder’s attention with his beautiful sermon on not losing faith and encouragement,” commented Eli Gonzales, RMC Club Ministries executive coordinator. “His slogan was ‘Know Jesus, No Hiding.’ He gave the youth a challenge to never forget that we will always depend on prayer.”

Rodriguez, now a pastor working in Adventist media ministries, shared his testimony and many vivid anecdotes about his life as an ex-police officer and member of the fire department. He motivated those listening to his message and gave Pathfinder club members a challenge to find the faith that young David had when he faced the giant Goliath.

Gonzales continued, “We were witnesses to Pastor Rodriguez’s faith and determination to spread the word of God and give his message as we watched him preach so passionately that not even the wind and rain could stop him. Through the chilly conditions of the Rocky Mountains, Pathfinders, adults, and children alike received an encouraging and heartfelt message of Christ through sincere and constant prayer.”

One highlight of the weekend was the baptism of Emi, member of the Littleton Lights Pathfinder Club. Gonzales remarked, “We were witnesses to Emi’s double birthday! That Sabbath, Emi celebrated her twelfth birthday. That same Sabbath, Emi decided to make public her decision to follow Christ as her Lord and Savior through the sacred act of baptism and rebirth.”

Emi was joined and supported by her parents, grandparents, and the other Pathfinder club members at the RMC Camporee. The baptism was administered in the very cool waters of Lake Minnie at GVR by Godfrey Miranda, lead pastor of the Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Littleton, Colorado.

“An event like this Camporee is only possible after much prayer, collaboration, and support from many faithful volunteers from our Rocky Mountain Conference. These were four days full of motivation for everyone present,” praised Gonzales.

“I pray now that this time together will make an impact in the lives of not only the Pathfinders who were present, but also in the lives of those they interact with daily. May the love of Christ be present in their actions and their words and may the things they learned at this Camporee be with them as they return to their daily activities with friends and family.”

To see more of what is going on in RMC Club Ministries, CLICK HERE to visit their YouTube channel.

—Eli Gonzalez is the RMC Club Ministries executive coordinator. Photos by Daniel Sem.