Day two of Inter-America’s Pathfinder Camporee ended with an appeal to young campers to tear down any idols they may have that are taking the place of God. Hundreds drew to the field of Jamaica’s Trelawny Stadium on April 5, 2023, to be prayed for and take a stand to commit to putting God above everything else.

“If you have some issues that God needs to solve in your life, that might seem like some kind of an idol, or there are things that you need to have victory over, come down so we can pray,” said Pastor Andres Peralta, associate Youth Ministries director for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Peralta also invited Pathfinders to seek prayer if they needed a miracle in their lives or for a particular issue in their families.

“I want you to see Jesus as the one and only God that can change your life,” added Peralta. “God can take you to a place of restoration and redemption as only He can do.”

Just like in the biblical story of Gideon, who struggled with fear and felt uncertain about his calling, Pathfinders need to know they, too, face personal challenges but can take a stand as Seventh-day Adventists and let God send them with authority and power, referenced Peralta.

Going Back to the True God

“God is calling you to be Pathfinders in mission, so don’t be afraid to do the right thing,” Peralta said. It may not be easy “because everyone has idols they keep.” Just like Gideon broke down the altar and realized God’s people could not worship Baal anymore, “we have to go back to the true Lord and God.”

Peralta shared his personal testimony of when he was a young boy. His parents were not Seventh-day Adventists and kept several idols in the house to practice witchcraft. “At nine years old, I could see shadows and felt very fearful about all the idols, so one day, I just threw them all in the trash.” He received a punishment he will never forget, but he felt a peace that allowed him to sleep at night, shared Peralta.

“If you don’t tear down your idol, your idol will bring you down. This is not about your strength, but God’s strength, or your capacity or your ability, but about God’s gift in you.”

Peralta reminded Pathfinders that God is calling them to join Him in mission.

Drawing lessons from the life of Gideon is what leaders will continue to underline during the camporee, which ended on April 8.

“Our desire is that you will be transformed by the grace of God and be ready for mission,” said Al Powell, Youth Ministries director for the Inter-American Division (IAD) and main organizer of the event. “It doesn’t matter where you came from, but that you get connected with Jesus daily.”

Part 2 of the drama performance during the evening program reminded campers to be willing to sacrifice their relationships with others in order to follow the Lord and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit to carry out Hi’s purpose.

Being Transformed for Mission

For Kezia Johnson, age 15, from Eleuthera Island, a thin island in The Bahamas archipelago, the story of Gideon is a reminder that standing firm in putting God first will always guide you in the right path. A few weeks ago, she won a speech competition in her school district and moved to compete in the finals. However, because it was held on the Sabbath, she decided not to attend. Instead, she was given a special exception to submit her speech on video. 

Johnson won second place in that final competition. Her speech was about the benefits of using the hydroponics technique to grow vegetables like lettuce, instead of purchasing at a higher price. “A head of lettuce can cost you US$13 back at home, and growing lettuce through the hydroponic technique could help promote commerce and help the economy.”

Becoming a second-place winner at that competition, as well as being a speaker at this year’s Youth Week of Prayer on March 19–25 in her conference, won Johnson the registration fee for the camporee. She is among the 45 Pathfinders of a delegation of 90 in the South Bahamas Conference and one of 398 in the Atlantic Caribbean Union. Johnson was able to pay for her travel expenses to the camporee thanks to donations from members of her local church who were eager to support her in her youth leadership development.

“It means a lot to me to be here,” said Johnson. “When you do your best and do things right, God helps you along the way just like he helped His people.” Being clear about her purpose in serving the community and taking a stand for God is part of being a Pathfinder in mission, she added.

Earlier during the day, Pathfinders engaged in honor classes, pin trading, races, and meeting a native world legend: Olympic race winner Usain Bolt. (Read full story HERE)

The day provided special moments of prayer three times a day, at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m., as well as in a prayer station in an accessible makeshift sanctuary-style space on the campground’s complex.

The next few days will see more spiritual messages, sporting activities, honor classes, baptisms, investitures, drama performances, and more.

To watch the camporee’s evening program of April 5, 2023, visit webcast.interamerica.org.

To view a daily photo gallery of Inter-America’s fifth Pathfinder Camporee, click HERE.

For updates on the week’s events, visit us at interamerica.org.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division website.