RMCNews with Lydie Birai – Denver, Colorado … LifeSource Adventist Fellowship is investing in the future of the church and young people’s lives in Denver by restarting their Adventure Club.

The thought of restoring the Adventurer Club began several months ago when parents approached Lydie Birai, wife Daniel Birai, senior pastor at LifeSource, expressing an interest. As members began to make plans to restart the Adventurer Club, the venture grew into a joint effort between True Life Adventist Community Church, which also meets on the campus, and LifeSource Adventist Fellowship. An initial meeting to gauge interest ended with Lydie Birai as director for the club and Karene Thomas-Watts as assistant director.

Brandon Westgate, new RMC youth director, explained why it is vital for RMC churches to explore the formation of Adventurer and Pathfinder clubs. “If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we should never take real face-to-face interactions for granted. While growing levels of anxiety, depression, and stress in adults during this pandemic have garnered some attention, few people stop to consider that young people have been negatively impacted in all of these areas as well, and some studies suggest they have been more severely impacted.”

He adds, “This is why it is such an encouragement to see our churches re-engaging the youth of the RMC in Adventurer and Pathfinder clubs. Adventurers and Pathfinders play a vital role in communicating a sense of belonging as life skills are taught, and Jesus is exalted. As a church, we need to provide our young people with opportunities to connect or reconnect with Jesus and one another so that they can demonstrate their resilience.”

Feeling inadequate and recognizing the need for help, Lydie continued to lead during the initial organization meeting but prayed daily for the right person to take over. In October, the prayer was answered when Daisy Dalegowski stepped into the director role.  Dalegowski brought years of Pathfinder leadership experience and, on December 4, held a successful sign-up meeting.

Westgate is very grateful to see the new club planning its first meeting in January.  “I am especially thankful that LifeSource is restarting their Adventurer Club. We live in a real-world, where changes in leadership and missional focus can cause churches to reevaluate their vision and mission. I am thankful when I see a church that prioritizes youth because I know that this is a church with a bright future. Investing in our youngest members’ lives sets a church [up] for long-term success and gains. As youth director for RMC, I will always be supportive of any church who is trying their best to empower the next generation to live their greatest story for Jesus.”

The new Adventurer Club at LifeSource and True Life is open for any Denver area youth interested in joining the club.  “No, you do not need to be part of the LifeSource or True Life Adventist churches to join us. But you do need to fill out some paperwork. Please get in touch with me via email at [email protected]  for more information,” Lydie Birai said.  The first meeting is scheduled for January 15th. Then the club will meet the first and third Sabbath monthly.

Westgate believes these clubs are vital to providing safe spaces for the youth, “Both Adventurers and Pathfinder clubs are proven methods for creating a space where our youth can engage with one another and with mentor/leaders in activities and relevant service projects that truly take the church outside the walls of the worship center and into the community. Our mission statement in the RMC youth department is ‘Making it easy for kids to know God’ and Adventurer and Pathfinder club ministries play a crucial role in this endeavor.”

He adds, “If your church is feeling a bit hum-drum, start up an Adventurer Club or a Pathfinder Club, or better yet start both. I can guarantee that when you begin some intentional interactions with this newest generation of believers, things won’t remain hum-drum for long!”

— RMCNews with Lydie Birai, photo supplied