Friedensau is a town 130 kilometers east of Berlin, Germany. July 31, 2023, was a busy day, contrasting with the surrounding environment, with more than 2,700 young people and leaders from 14 countries across the Inter-European Division (EUD) territory finalizing preparations for the start of Pathfinder Camporee 2023.
"The most important thing is for young people to have a personal encounter with Jesus," says Jonatan Tejel, EUD Youth director. "There are many Pathfinder activities—physical, intellectual, social—but what we want is lives marked by Jesus," he reaffirms with enthusiasm.
By all accounts, this is a historic Camporee. It takes place in Friedensau, a central place for Adventism in Europe, where a college gave rise to a real Adventist community in Möckern—a rare case in these parts. Here, there is a campus, a retirement home, residents' houses, and civil and religious infrastructure. It has been a vibrant community since the end of the 19th century. The first Camporee in Friedensau was in 1904, and the last one here, 22 years ago, was interrupted by a storm and the floods that followed.
"I will never forget that Camporee," says Marcos Infante, leader of the Camporee's media team. "It was good for everything, but that evacuation marked our lives. We prayed, we organized ourselves, [and] we slept in school halls because our camp was flooded. We were together, close to God and to each other," he expresses with emotion. Yes, the Pathfinder movement also serves to teach how to deal with adversity.
On the first day, the weather forecast also announced a lot of rain, in this mild summer of approximately 20°C (68°F). There were indeed a few sprinkles in the morning, but by the time of the opening ceremony in the late afternoon, the heavy, gray skies held off the water, so the voices of presentation and hymns of praise from all the delegations could be heard.
Jonatan Contero, a pastor, missionary, and Adventist leader whose focus is working with contemporary and secular communities, is the one in charge of the devotional messages. He talked about Jesus: how good it is to find His way, live His plan, and how He trusts us.
#FollowMe - "Follow Jesus" was the theme of the Camporee, which experienced the largest participation ever. It was a historic Camporee, but not only for all the reasons presented here. This Camporee was historic in the life of each one of the young people who came here following Jesus and wanting to learn to follow Him with more desire, motivation, and knowledge. This Camporee was for each one of them.
Alexendra and Isaac are married and work together for the EUD Youth Department. They live and enjoy their passion for youth mission and the Pathfinder movement. Part of the organizing team of Camporee 2023, they share information and insight on the event.
The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-European Division website.