More than 3,000 Pathfinders and staff from across Australia gathered for the Australian Union Conference (AUC) “Treasured” Camporee on January 3–8.

Clubs were welcomed at the opening ceremony by Pastor Jeff Parker, AUC Youth Ministries director, who officially opened the camporee. Other special guests included Dr. Nick Kross, South Pacific Division (SPD) Ministry and Strategy associate director, Pastor Terry Johnson, AUC president, and Pastor Ron Whitehead, director of Children’s, Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Lake Union Conference in Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA.

The five-day event, held on a property 15 kilometers east of Tumbarumba in rural New South Wales, was split into six subcamps, with two chaplains and a subcamp leader allocated to each section. Pathfinders participated in a wide range of outdoor activities based on the camporee theme, “Treasured”—focused on Mary Magdalene and how she found her worth in Jesus.

Clubs gathered during the evenings to hear Sydney-based speaker Pastor Raul Moran. The nightly worships also included a highlight video from each day, special items from the Pathfinders, and drama presentations.

[Credit: Adventist Record]

0D2Q3303

0D2Q3554

0D2Q0971

0D2Q1065

0D2Q1108

0D2Q1207

0D2Q2213

0D2Q1449

0D2Q1665

0D2Q2947

0D2Q3266

0D2Q4122

0D2Q2853

0D2Q3762

0D2Q3430

0D2Q3293

0D2Q3718

0D2Q0906

Severe weather warnings were issued throughout the week, with storms predicted on several days. However, none of the predicted storms reached the campsite. Pastor Johnson explained, “We witnessed one weather-related miracle after another each day, which was inspiring, and we thank God for that.”

Pastor Tony Knight, AUC Resource Development and Children’s Ministry director, and Amanda Bews, Resource Development coordinator, launched the newest edition of The Hunter Chronicles book series during the morning worship program on Sabbath. 

Pastor Knight said, “It was a real treat for Amanda and I to launch the newest Hunter Chronicles book, Hunter and the High Country Heist, at the Treasured camporee. Even more exciting is that almost 1,000 people went home with copies of the new book.

“From the huge number of kids and leaders that stopped by to chat with us, it’s obvious that there is a huge need for more home-grown spiritual adventure stories for Aussie kids.”

Ms. Bews said she appreciated receiving the children’s feedback about the books. “Lots of Pathfinders visited our display over the weekend, sharing with us which stories they liked best. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to talk with them about the series and hear the impact the books are making in their lives.”

On Sabbath, clubs participated in a combined activity followed by the baptism of five Pathfinders who chose to dedicate their lives to God. “[We thank] the Holy Spirit for inspiring more than 700 decisions for baptism, making this the best evangelism campaign in Australia!” Pastor Johnson exclaimed.

“Pathfinder camporees are significant memory events that impact the lives of the Pathfinders,” Pastor Parker said. “They become anchor points in their Christian development. Many Pathfinders make lifelong decisions to follow Jesus at camporees. Many hundreds of our Pathfinders chose to have Bible studies and be baptized in the future.

“Pathfinders is the best mentoring program that we offer as a church. The intergenerational connections that are created impact the life of the Pathfinder. This informal mentoring cannot be underestimated; it is truly life-changing.”

The original version of this story was posted on the South Pacific Division's news site, Adventist Record.