Pathfinders commit lives to God through baptism

MORE than 200 persons from the Seventh-day Adventist Church gave their lives to the Lord through baptism on Dec 23 at a camporee in Morobe’s Markham Valley.
The baptism of the 245 young people, known as pathfinders, was the highlight of a week-long camporee that began on Dec 17 at Tararan.
Pathfinders are aged between 10 and 15 years.
Before the baptism, guest speaker for the camporee Pr Jameson Pulelisi encouraged the pathfinders to allow the Holy Spirit to do its work in their lives.
“Anchor your life in the Holy Spirit. Just anchor in what the Holy Spirit is doing. God gives good gifts for you to grow,” Pulelisi said.
South Pacific division youth director Pr Nick Kross also encouraged the pathfinders to go to Jesus because “He accepts you just as you are and He knows you”.
Kross also advised the pathfinders to choose to follow Jesus Christ and to walk together with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
As the young people were baptised, many shed tears of joy.
Meanwhile, the camporee had brought together more than 6,800 pathfinders, teachers and instructors. Volunteers in the areas of catering, security, transport, water and sanitation, media, medical, prayer and others ensured the camp ran smoothly.
The theme for the camporee was “I anchor”.
Pathfinders enhanced their marching drills, learnt how to tie different knots, learnt about shrubs, grasses, heart circulation, cultural diversity, church history and horse riding among others.
They also took part in a talent show and obstacle courses such as kitten crawl, swinging log and tyre square.
Prime Minister James Marape opened the camporee on Dec 17 while chief secretary Ivan Pomaleu declared it closed on Dec 23.
The pathfinder camporee is held every five years.
The venue for the next camporee would be announced later.