The conference-level Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE), covering the book of Exodus, took place on Sabbath, Feb. 20, at the College Place Village Church. Ten Pathfinder teams from throughout Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) gathered for testing.
Jeff Wines was the quizmaster. He is the new Upper Columbia Conference director of Pathfinders, Adventurers and family life and also the associate director of Camp MiVoden in Hayden, Idaho.
Each of the four districts held PBE events in January. A total of 18 clubs participated from Blue Mountain, Columbia Basin, East Cascade and North Lakes districts. Of those teams, 10 made first or second place and were able to participate at the most recent event in College Place, Wash.
Here is how the 10 teams placed:
- Brewster Blazers — 3
- Cashmere Cascade Peaks — 3
- Hayden Lake Ponderosa Pathfinders — 1
- Kennewick Nighthawks — 2
- Milton Rangers — 3
- Moses Lake Crusaders — 3
- Pend Oreille Valley Wildcats (Newport Church) — 1
- Walla Walla Sunrise (Walla Walla City Church) — 1
- Wind Valley Arrows (Cle Elum/Ellensburg Church) — 1
- Young Disciples Team Yakima Braves — 2
The ultimate purpose of PBE is to bring the participants closer to Jesus. And while every Pathfinder is encouraged to do their very best, competition is not the objective. In fact, there are no losers, and all are given an award in recognition of their efforts. Most important is what each Pathfinder takes away from the Pathfinder Bible Experience.
Anthony Jones, a seventh-grade Pathfinder from the Cashmere Cascade Peaks Pathfinder Club, said a couple of things he learned from the book of Exodus. "I learned that God is always there and cares for His people, and He is orderly as shown in the tabernacle," he said. He also learned an important truth: "God will always lead me, and He is there for me when I need Him."
“We are very proud of all of our Pathfinders and the four teams moving on to the union PBE,” says Jeff Wines. “Congratulations to all of the teams for a job well done. No matter the place, all have gained a greater knowledge of the book of Exodus. God can use you and what you have learned to both guide you and bless others."
The four teams in first place participated at the union-level PBE on March 12 in Chehalis, Wash. Division-level testing is scheduled for April 15 and 16 at Prescott High School in Prescott, Ariz.
The study books for the next PBE will be Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Timothy — a total of 30 chapters.
The event is coordinated in Upper Columbia Conference by Tony and Claudia Phillips. They and the entire team of coordinators, coaches and parents who lead the teams of Pathfinders deserve a big thank you. The Bible promises their efforts are well worth it: “Train up a child in the way that they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6, NKJV).
(From left) Luke Torquato, Christina Ford and Carissa Torquato from the Hayden Lake Ponderosa Pathfinders participate in Pathfinder Bible Experience.
Jeff Wines congratulates a Pathfinder on completion of the Pathfinder Bible Experience for North Lakes District at the Newport (Wash.) Church.
