Young Achievers! – Pathfinders Investiture Day

Sabbath 19th Feb 2011 The day of recognition of achievement, life and spiritual skills and spiritual development had finally arrived for Holloway Pathfinder and Adventurer club. Sabbath 19th February 2011 was an eventful and joyous day as hundreds viewed how children and young people witnessed for Jesus throughout the past year. Sabbath school was the time for reflection of the year in which each pathfinder class reported on their missions and lessons which they embarked on and portrayed their many talents. The Adventurers sang a beautiful song together and pathfinders Nile Philip and Joshua Roberts shared their personal stories of their charity work undertaken in Ghana. Even though Sabbath school finished, the reflection of the year continued throughout the day. The congregation became aware that the processional would start within the next few minutes, so immediately became excited. The parade of pathfinders and adventurers waiting to slow march into church was a pleasing site to all. Their honours on their sashes and pride in their uniform was displayed for all to see. The words “Parade, by the front. Slow march!” signaled for movement and the drumming to commence.  The Allegiance to the Bible, the Pathfinder Pledge, Law and Song and the Adventurer Pledge started the service. This was followed by the posting of the flags – Union Jack, Pathfinder flag and Adventurer flag.. Master Guides in training, Trevina and Trevona Jennings welcomed everyone in the congregation and those watching online. After song service, Master Guide Joanna Jones reported on her 2-year mission trip to Peru and how overwhelming and worthwhile the experience was. Adventurer Zerenna Shiell blew the congregation away with her drumming skills that she learnt and developed. The investiture serviced followed, in which the children were invested or received honours, badges and pins for their hard work. Master Guide Trevor Harewood asked a few pathfinders some questions to test their knowledge on what they have learnt, but even though they had a brief moment of fear, they were not fazed by the questions, and answered to the best of their knowledge- well, their memory! Rumbi Sithole and Hayley McKenzie-Sealy were both invested as Master Guides and marched together to receive their awards. Before the sermon, the Pathfinder choir proudly and bravely sang “I’m in love with Jesus Christ” with solo’s by Rumbi, Isaiah, Tia and Naomi. Pastor Eglan Brooks concluded the service with an inspirational sermon entitled ‘Moving Forward’. He dressed as a Pharaoh and spoke about dreams and their importance. He related the pathfinders to Abraham and Joseph and informed them that God gives us all dreams that we must follow and abide to his rules. Before Pastor Brooks prayed, we all sang “Onward Christian soldier”, which the song spoke for itself to encourage the pathfinders, adventurers and the whole congregation to witness for Christ. After a fulfilling lunch, AYS commenced. Chamaine King and Wuni-Bannah Sesay welcomed the congregation back to AYS and to the induction service. Nola Hopkins, Angeline Barclay and Catherine James conducted a lively song service. This was then followed by Kerri-Ann Green who read a devotional based on moving forward and being a good Christian. Shamaine King, Elizabeth Uhuka and James Castor prepared a quiz for the pathfinders. The quiz was to have three groups of four and to answer a question correctly in order for a section of a picture to be revealed, then the team would guess what the entire picture was. If the question was wrong then the question went to the other teams. Their was one team of adventurer boys, the other of adventurer girls and the last of 2 pathfinder boys and 2 pathfinder girls. The questions were asked and if the answer was known then a bell had to be rung by the team. After an exciting 30minutes, the quiz ended with the pathfinder team- James Castor, Ester Arthur-Darkwa, Daniel Anti and Rumbi Sithole- winning. The induction service then started with adventurers and pathfinders lighting their candles and making their pledges and telling us why they lit the candle, this was carried out by Counselor Daley and Lorraine. The new pathfinders and adventurers were then welcomed into the club and accepted by the church. The day was eventful, inspirational, encouraging and motivating for all who witnessed it. The texts that comes to mind is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and Isaiah 11:6 “…and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and the little child shall lead them”. In Jesus name. Amen. Written by Sabrina West

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