PATHFINDERS STRONG

By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president

Pathfinders from around Washington Conference filled the Auburn Adventist Academy auditorium for the annual Pathfinder Fair this past weekend. There were small clubs, large clubs, some brand new clubs that had never been to the fair, and clubs that have come to the fair for years. It’s a great event with many different activities for the young people.

One part of the program stood out to me. After the parade, the Pathfinders all marched into the auditorium and stood in their dress uniforms with different flags flying above each club.  They sang the Pathfinder song that begins with the phrase, “Oh we are the Pathfinders strong.”

Then selected club members led them in the Pathfinder pledge and law. It was a neat moment to listen as hundreds of Pathfinders recited the pledge together. The pledge goes like this: “By the grace of God, I will be pure and kind and true. I will keep the Pathfinder Law. I will be a servant of God and a friend to man.”

That pledge has been recited for decades. I was saying that pledge when I was a Pathfinder. I love the focus on God’s grace being taught to our young people. It is only through the grace of God that we can be pure and unselfish as citizens of this world. It is through the grace of God that we realize how much we need Him and then we want to serve Him and His creation. It is only through God’s grace can we even sing about being strong.

The Pathfinder Law also starts and ends with two very important things. One is “To keep the morning watch.” This means to daily walk with God through prayer and Bible study. And the last Pathfinder Law is “Go on God’s errands.” As we daily walk with God, He will lead us in our spiritual growth and will place people and opportunities in our path.

Whether or not you are a Pathfinder, these are good things to remember and commit to in our own spiritual growth. So, find a Pathfinder and have them teach you the pledge and law. Most of all, I encourage you to live out the ideals of the pledge and law through the grace of God that is at the very center of it all.