Sue Nelson – Denver, Colorado … The Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) for the books of Joshua and Judges, was held at Denver South Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Denver, Colorado, February 24. Six teams participated in person, including Colorado Springs Pleyades, Colorado-American Indonesian Flying Garuda’s, Greeley Lesem, Longmont Thunder, Loveland Cougars, and Pecos Rocky Mountain Stallions, and the Durango Ironhorse participated remotely from Durango, Colorado.

The PBE got underway with the Color Guard, performed by the teen representatives Clemente Martinez, Jr., Kariany Ortiz, and Jamie Mira. Praise music was led by Daniel Gonzalez of the Redeemed Music Ministry from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a devotional was led by Andrew Carpenter, Mile High Academy principal.

Nearpod, a teacher-based computer program, was used for interactive lessons. It enabled the teams to see questions, write answers, and submit on a computer or tablet as the presenter controlled the questions in English and Spanish from the platform. This system is also used at the Union and North America Division (NAD) levels.

All the teams’ answers come into Nearpod, which is then sent to a team of judges and scorekeepers to grade and record. Using a code for access allowed the Durango club to participate in the event without having to drive long distance during wintertime.

There were 90 questions total, with a 10-minute break halfway through. Questions were taken from the Andrews Bible Commentary, which is the official commentary for the PBE.

The Loveland Cougars and Greeley Lesem teams won first place finish, and both will be advancing to the Union level of the competition in Lincoln, Nebraska, on March 16. All first-place winners at the Union level will advance on to the NAD level, which is being held this year in Greeley, Colorado, on April 20.

Stacey Rodriguez, Loveland Cougars director, commented, “the kids were so nervous that they weren’t going to do well. So, it was such an encouragement for them to do that well.”

Brent Learned, Rocky Mountain Conference associate youth director said, “it was wonderful to have so many pathfinders passionate about studying and memorizing scripture together for PBE.”

—Sue Nelson is the Rocky Mountain Conference Club Ministries executive coordinator. Photos supplied.