August 20, 2009

Gary Moran, Pathfinder Director for the Pennsylvania Conference shared with me that 15 clubs and approximately 300 Pennsylvania Pathfinders were in attendance at the “Courage to Stand” International Camporee in Oshkosh, WI.

Currently there are over 2 million SDA Pathfinders in 170 countries around the world.

Pennsylvania had a number of young people who were directly involved in this year’s camporee. In addition to the pictures of Emily Carlson who was a stage manager, and James and Jonathan Goff who were stage security, which I posted last week, there are others.

John Mall and Matt Masters were part of the music team that lead the music each evening

Will Reichert portrayed different characters in the featured presentation story of Esther most evenings, and also served as one of the guards at the entrance to the amphitheater / program arena.

Conrad Reichert, Jr. also had parts in the Esther story.

Approximately 550 Pathfinders and some adult leaders and staff were baptized on Sabbath afternoon. Another 1,000 – 1,500 indicated a desire for baptism and were referred to their home church and pastor upon their return from Oshkosh. Pennsylvania Pastors Bob Williams, Gabriel Montalvo and Preston Monterrey participated in baptizing PA campers. Pastor Conrad Reichert assisted those campers taking part in the baptism.

Some of our PA educators were also in support of clubs at Oshkosh. I saw Karen Lebo, Steve Laubach and Frank Stahl. Many of the AWHN staff were also assisting. Cheryl Goff, Karen Borton, and Sandy Ringer were there with their club.

Our PA Clubs seemed to have a wonderful time. The Gettysburg club marched in the Friday parade of clubs.

The Washington club worked on the rock and mineral honor while they were there.

On Friday afternoon, from 1 p.m. until about 11:30 p.m. I was a volunteer chaplain. Our specific duties as chaplains were to offer to pray with people, and to drive campers back to their campsite who had some type of medical condition or had been treated by the doctors or nurses at the medical building. Three of us as Conference Presidents were on call for transporting people, and were almost constantly in motion.

I would like to affirm Mark Sorensen, Homer Strong, Pam Scheib and all the members of the PA Pathfinder Executive Council who alongside of Gary Moran provide strong leadership for our Pathfinder clubs. Also each of the local club directors and staff who constantly work with the clubs each week and seek to guide and influence our young people. Some of our clubs have several young people who are from non-SDA Church families, and in this way, our clubs have a part in the mission of the Pennsylvania Conference churches.

Tuesday our Conference Executive Committee elected Ron Christman as our Conference Treasurer.

Ron and his wife Joyce, who is a RN, a hospital Chaplain and a trained bereavement chaplain both grew up in the mission field. You will find more information regarding Ron on the Conference website. Ron brings a wealth of experience and a mission attitude to his role. I believe God has answered our prayers as we have conducted a wide search for the right person to follow Mo Pelley in this vital role.

August 12, 2009

Today Jeanne, Abby and I arrived in Oshkosh, WI, for the NAD/World Pathfinder Camporee. We attended the evening program, which is featuring the story of Esther with the theme, Courage to Stand. Over 36,000 Pathfinders are in attendance, making this the largest SDA gathering in the world. At tonight’s program, opening prayer was conducted by 4 Pathfinders, one from Columbia Union Conference, one from Pau Pau New Guinea, one from the country of Columbia, and one from the North Pacific Union. At the end of the program and the spiritual message, the stage was filled with the Pathfinders who came forward for prayer, to commit their life to Christ, or to request baptism. I saw just a few friends of PA Conference, and have included their pictures below.
James and Jonathan Goff
Emily Carlson
Elder Don Schneider
Ed and Wendy Eberhart

Tomorrow I will be serving as a volunteer Chaplain on call, and I will see more of our PA Pathfinders and post a few pictures on the next blog.