[Photo courtesy of the Middle East and North Africa Union]
Beirut, Lebanon | Gureni Lukwaro, Middle East and North Africa Union

Fourteen precious souls surrendered their lives to Christ through baptism on Sabbath, November 14, at the Ras Al Khaimah Adventist church in the United Arab Emirates. The new members came from three different local churches with seven from Sharjah, five from Dubai Creekside and two from Fujairah Church.

“It is a joyous moment when we celebrate the new birth of these our dear brothers and sisters,” said Marc Coleman, president of the Gulf Field of the Middle East and North Africa Union.

Half of the baptized candidates encountered the Seventh-day Adventist Church through the Pathfinder Club.

One family was looking for suitable and beneficial activities for their children. “We looked and tried many alternatives. But when we discovered the Pathfinder club, we knew we had found what we were looking for,” said Alexander Wait, one of the baptism candidates. “The club provided high quality programs that we knew would help our children above all other programs we had tried.”

Another family came in contact with the Pathfinder club after their son was invited to join the club by a friend from school. He liked the program and in turn, he shared with his parents what he learned in the club. He also invited his parents to some of the social events that the Pathfinder club and the local Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sharjah organized.

Originally from Sri Lanka, this family had to overcome many challenges in their journey from Buddhist and Hindu into Adventism. 

Both families went on to receive Bible studies which led to their surrendering their lives to Christ and getting baptized.

“Congratulations on your baptism. With your baptism you get at least three blessings. One, you now have a new life after dying with Christ and resurrecting in the newness of life. 

Secondly, your names are now written in the book of life in heaven; and third, you now belong to this wonderful family of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” said Muyiwa Oyinloye, the senior pastor of the Sharjah church, who baptized the candidates.

The Pathfinder Ministry is strong and vibrant in the Gulf countries of the Middle East and North Africa Union. There are more than 400 members involved in the Little Lambs, Eager Beavers, Adventurer, Pathfinder and Master Guides Club in most of the Gulf countries. In February the ministry held the 3rd Gulf Field International Pathfinder Camporee in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates which was attended by 430 participants from the region and beyond.

The local clubs continue to prioritize soul winning as a primary goal of the Pathfinder ministries. Several clubs across the region invite non-Adventists to become members of their clubs with the hope that by partaking in the programs, they will get to know and follow Jesus Christ.

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