The Alpine Adventurer Club started with an impression. The director was impressed to step out in faith and so began the new Adventurer club in Bozeman, Montana.
“It wasn’t something that I had done before,” says Mari Kirk, club director. “I want people to know that when you move forward with what God asks you to do, you never know what the simple act of following His call will lead to.”
As Kirk talked with other parents, there was lots of interest in starting an Adventurer club. God brought together amazing teachers, cooks and helpers from the Bozeman, Livingston and Mount Ellis Academy churches.
Some confuse Adventurers with Pathfinders. Pathfinders is a club ministry for young people with lots of activities and opportunities to learn about Jesus and character building through honors. In the case of Adventurers, it is filled with lots of activities and opportunities to earn honors, but it is not just for kids. It is specifically intended to minister to the entire family.
Each Tuesday evening, families are able to gather at the Bozeman Church and fellowship with each other to enjoy a meal they didn’t have to prepare. This is a big blessing for busy parents! We have worship at the start of every meeting, during which children learn to be comfortable leading a song or leading prayer. Then we have classes for children of ages 2–9. Leaders put aside all the other responsibilities of their busy lives to make sharing Jesus with the children their priority. It has been beautiful to see how God gives everyone a talent and these leaders are bringing their talents to be used for His glory.
Over the course of the holidays we focused on outreach and mission. We collected items to send overseas to support missionaries and bring them some Christmas cheer, and some made little care packages for the homeless. One parent shared how beautiful it was the club made these care packages because on Christmas Eve he was impressed to share that package and bless someone in need this holiday season.
Many would be tempted to think Adventurers is just another club where you earn honors to fill a sash. But to the families and children participating, it serves as much more. It’s a chance to fellowship during a meal. It's a safe place for children to learn valuable character-building skills that will last a lifetime. It’s also a place where the teachers and leaders share Jesus at every meeting.
The Alpine Adventurers had the privilege of leading worship at Livingston Church last fall. Plans are scheduled for them to lead at the Bozeman and Mount Ellis Academy churches this spring.
Jesus says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40). Alpine Adventurers is more than a club; it’s a group of Seventh-day Adventist families coming together to share the Love of Jesus with their children and teach them about being bright lights in this dark world.
Bozeman Church communication team
The Alpine Adventurers had the privilege of leading worship at Livingston Church.
Alpine Adventurers recreate the story of Jesus healing a man with leprosy.
Little chefs learn how to make gorditas.
Families enjoy pizza time together.
Families make applesauce during one Adventurers gathering.
Planting seeds was another recent activity for the Alpine Adventurers.
The Eager Beavers soak up the outdoors.
Little Lambs learn about the human body
Little ones learn important fire safety information during an Adventurers meeting at the Bozeman Church.
Adventurers are excited to meet a real firefighter.
Part of the Adventurers pose for a group picture.
Adventurers lead song service at the Livingston Church.
Bible times games capture the kids' attention.
Stuffing stockings with care items for homeless was a popular event.
The Sunbeams created personalized cards to accompany each stocking.
