Sue Nelson – Tampa, Florida … The North American Division (NAD) Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, on April 22. Each year, teams of six club members study a book of the Bible (alternating Old Testament and New Testament) to compete in the PBE, memorizing large portions of God’s word.
This year’s event had 155 teams registered! Teams were from all over the United States and included a few international teams from Northern and Southern England Conferences, Korea, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. The questions and answers were in English and Spanish and translated into French and Korean.
The weekend started with Friday night vespers at the Mt. Calvary Adventist Church in Tampa, Florida. The message was brought by Pastor Shea Crockett, youth director for the Southeastern Conference. The testing on Sabbath was led by Tracy Wood, NAD youth ministries director, Armando Miranda and Vandeon Griffin, NAD youth ministries associate directors, and Gene Clapp, NAD PBE coordinator.
Two Rocky Mountain Conference teams, Aurora Las Aguilas and Loveland Cougars both placed 1st at the Mid-America Union Final PBE in Lincoln, Nebraska, allowing them to continue to the NAD level. Both teams placed 2nd at the NAD PBE with 90 questions from the book of John and the Andrews Bible Commentary.
It was exciting for the two teams to fly to Florida. For some, it was their first plane ride and first time out of Colorado! They were able to visit different attractions like Disney World and go to the beach.
Sue Nelson, RMC club ministries executive coordinator, Brent Learned, RMC associate youth director, and Eli Gonzalez, RMC club ministries associate executive coordinator, were able to attend and help as monitors.
“It was inspiring to see an arena full of hundreds of Pathfinders so excited about Bible memorization of the Gospel of John,” said Brent.
Addressing the participants, Eli said, “What an impact you make in all of us by being part of this awesome ministry of pathfinders and making it to the NAD Pathfinder Bible Experience—now it is your time to make a difference in your church and community.”
“We genuinely want the best for you. Do you know how awesome you are? Well, let me say it: you are AWESOME! You are wonderful, you are beautiful, and you are God’s,” he added.
Videos from the event can be found on YouTube by entering “Pathfinder NAD PBE” in the search bar. Next year’s NAD PBE Finals will be held April 19-20, 2024, with the location to be announced at a later day.
—Sue Nelson is the RMC club ministries executive coordinator. Photos by Sue Nelson, Stacey Rodriquez, and Eli Gonzales.
