Sixth Annual Adventist History Holds Pathfinders Meeting

The Loma Linda University Church hosted the Sixth Annual Adventist History that featured the History of Pathfinders on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. Pathfinders is a program developed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Department of Youth Missionary Volunteer, for the youths of the church. The program provides spiritual, mental and physical development of young people from ages three to 18. In the process of having fun, they also progressively learn to be leaders within the safe and controlled environment. The program started with humble beginnings in 1927 at one of the churches in Anaheim, California. In 1946, Elder John Handcock designed the triangle patch we use today to signify the three aspects of Pathfinders: spiritual, physical, and mental growth. In the nearly 80 years of history, Pathfindering has spread through every continent and grown to over three million members. The program started with a parade of the flags, lead by the American, Californian, Christian flag. The youths from different Pathfinder Clubs in the Inland Empire and High Desert re-enacted the opening ceremonies of every Pathfinder club meeting. The opening ceremony included the Pledge of Allegiance to the Unites State flag, reciting of the Pathfinder and Adventurer Pledges and Laws, singing the Pathfinder and Adventurer songs, and concludes with opening prayer. Then, some of the Pioneers provided a brief history of how the clubs expanded beyond Southern California to the rest of the world. Among them were Darlene Juhl, Arlan Borg, Dixie and Arnold Plata, Bill and Valerie Downs, Sam and Elda Eller, and Moe DeLeon. The Filipino Church director, Klyde Layon, gave the audience a glimpse of what Pathfindering is today. In addition to club meetings, the modern clubs have integrated an element of social services into their activities. Sam Young provided the closing message by encourage the Pathfinders to trust in God as they move out in faith to finish God's work. Pathfinders and Adventurers participated were from: * Azure Hills Church * Barstow SDA Church * Beaumont SDA Church * Calimesa SDA Church * Loma Linda Chinese Church * Loma Linda Filipino Church * Loma Linda Korean Church * Loma Linda Spanish Church * Loma Linda University Church