Teen Pathfinders Discover “Rock-Solid Faith” Teen Pathfinders in the Upper Columbia Conference learned all about rock climbing, what faith is, and how to step out in faith at the Teen Extreme rock-climbing event April 8–10 at Horse Thief Butte, Wash. Instead of just hearing about what faith is, the participants experienced what it means to trust someone: first by being led blindfolded, then by falling backward and trusting the group to catch them, and eventually by leaning away from the cliff, trusting the rope, and rappelling down the rock. This is the second year that the Upper Columbia Conference has sponsored the event, organized by Rick Pummel of Walla Walla and taught by Bob Gaede and Glen Campbell of Hillsboro, Ore. Gaede and Campbell have been holding this event for the past nine years in the Oregon Conference and for the past two years for the Upper Columbia Conference. The participating teens and adults were able to earn their rock-climbing honor during the weekend. Just like the climber learns to trust the person holding the rope by leaning his weight on it, so the Christian learns to trust God by getting to know Him and then stepping out in faith and following His instructions. As we experience following God, we learn to trust Him more and more and are able to take bigger and bigger steps in faith, just like the climbers were able to climb higher and higher as they learned to trust the person securing the rope. Other Teen Pathfinder Extreme events that Pummel puts on throughout the year include caving and mountain biking. The idea, according to Pummel, is to use fun, physically challenging activities to teach spiritual lessons, acting on the premise that kids learn by experiencing much better than by just listening. The next upcoming event will be mountain biking, Oct. 7–9.
Teen Pathfinders Discover “Rock-Solid Faith”
Teen Pathfinders in the Upper Columbia Conference learned all about rock climbing, what faith is, and how to step out in faith at the Teen Extreme rock-climbing event April 8–10 at Horse Thief Butte, Wash.
Instead of just hearing about what faith is, the participants experienced what it means to trust someone: first by being led blindfolded, then by falling backward and trusting the group to catch them, and eventually by leaning away from the cliff, trusting the rope, and rappelling down the rock.
This is the second year that the Upper Columbia Conference has sponsored the event, organized by Rick Pummel of Walla Walla and taught by Bob Gaede and Glen Campbell of Hillsboro, Ore. Gaede and Campbell have been holding this event for the past nine years in the Oregon Conference and for the past two years for the Upper Columbia Conference. The participating teens and adults were able to earn their rock-climbing honor during the weekend.
Just like the climber learns to trust the person holding the rope by leaning his weight on it, so the Christian learns to trust God by getting to know Him and then stepping out in faith and following His instructions. As we experience following God, we learn to trust Him more and more and are able to take bigger and bigger steps in faith, just like the climbers were able to climb higher and higher as they learned to trust the person securing the rope.
Other Teen Pathfinder Extreme events that Pummel puts on throughout the year include caving and mountain biking. The idea, according to Pummel, is to use fun, physically challenging activities to teach spiritual lessons, acting on the premise that kids learn by experiencing much better than by just listening. The next upcoming event will be mountain biking, Oct. 7–9.
Rick Pummel directs a climber to a foothold.
Climbers learn to let go and trust the rope.
Kylie Phillips learns to trust the rope while rappelling.
