There are 65,971 Pathfinder Clubs in the world, according to data published on the website of the South American headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This ministry encourages children and teenagers to respond to God's call to preach the gospel. But while some people think that cross-cultural missions only happen to those who decide to leave their birthplace, the Gigantes do Araguaia (Araguia Giants) Pathfinder Club recently learned that going and preaching to every "people, tongue, and tribe” can be done closer to home.

The club was established in 2022 in the Inam Carajá village, located in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The community converted to Adventism in 1975 and has since maintained its culture, language, and customs. They believe that the gospel promotes a way of life embodying dignity, respect, and love for others. “My father was the first indigenous person to be baptized in the Fontoura village, almost 50 years ago. After he learned about the Bible, he shared what he had learned with us and the entire tribe decided to be baptized,” says indigenous woman Xirkeru Kuadi. She continues, “We have spent the last few years bringing hope to other tribes, together with the help of the Tori (white man), but we did not know about the possibility of a program, especially for our children and teenagers.”

However, for José Roberto dos Santos, the Pathfinder Club holds a special place in his heart. “When I arrived in the city of Luciara, there was already a club there. When we discovered the tribe's existence, we were moved by the Holy Spirit to introduce the Pathfinders to the indigenous people, since they are also part of our community and should not be excluded from this activity,” he says. With a respectful approach, the leader and his family offered to help the indigenous people begin a club, which was readily accepted. “We realized their love for us and our children,” highlights Kuadi.

Episode 3 Podcast – Unraveling the Secret

Facing Cross-Cultural Barriers: Language

“Working with children is only challenging if you are unwilling to play with them,” says Santos. He says that implementing some of the club’s main activities was not difficult. “We stand in order, say vows, and learn through play. The children really enjoy it,” he says. However, the difficulty began when it came to filling out cards.

According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), by 2010, Brazil had recorded 274 indigenous languages ​​from 305 different ethnic groups. For Santos, the lack of availability of Christian material in native languages ​​is one of the biggest barriers to fully understanding the gospel. “They understand the essence, but many still can’t interpret our written language, they know the basics of spoken language, so it’s hard to read the materials and fill out the notebooks,” he explains. For José, the level of this challenge is the same as going to another country. “They have a very rich and complex culture, with an extensive vocabulary to represent what they want to say. Therefore, it’s also a big challenge for us to learn their language,” he highlights.

However, Santos believes that with a lot of effort and the help of the Holy Spirit, these barriers can be overcome. “The secret is dedication and faith, always asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength to move forward,” he concludes.

Harvesting the Fruit

Santo's hard work lasted two years and, together with his family and the leaders of the Inam Carajá village, is beginning to yield results. Currently, the Araguaia Giants Pathfinder Club includes 22 indigenous people. “We were very happy when, recently, a pathfinder approached us asking to be baptized,” says Santos. “He came from another tribe, made friends with the pathfinders, started participating in the activities, and now attends the church in our village,” adds Kuadi.

Luid Gomes is thirteen years old, and despite being embarrassed to give interviews, he firmly tells us about the decision he made to follow Jesus. “My friends invited me to be a Pathfinder. I really liked the club and the Bible study. Everyone is very happy, so I want to join them,” he says. According to a study published by Revista FAPESP 1 , the suicide rate among indigenous peoples is almost three times higher than that of the general population.

“Pathfinder Club means multiplying the church,” says José Roberto. For him, this first baptism that will take place right after the return of the “The Secret” camporee represents the harvest of the fruits of evangelism directly from our own backyard. “We had a lot of difficulties coming to the camporee. We asked for donations for the registration fee, we borrowed suitcases and bags, and it really was a miracle to get there. Despite that, it was all worth it because we were all invested, and what we heard here was unforgettable,” emphasizes Kuadi.

4th Day of the Camporee “The Secret”

The 4th Day of the “The Secret” Camporee was marked by many baptisms and inspiration through testimonies. One of them was from the Guardians of Israel club from Cuiabá. The baptism of Pathfinder Kauan Lucas Zacarias de Oliveira was the result of the work of André Luiz Marinho Rodrigues, a counselor who recently passed away from cancer. Even in the last days of his life, André Luiz continued to participate in the activities of the Pathfinder Club, demonstrating the peace and hope of those who believe in salvation and grace.

On the same day, a mega baptism took hundreds of pathfinders into the waters, who discovered that the secret to a full life is to accept the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Another highlight was the testimony of missionaries from India, who are part of the cross-cultural mission project supported by the Adventist Church in the Brazilian Midwest. The Central-Western Brazilian Union, the administrative headquarters for the Federal District, Goiás, Tocantins, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, is supporting some projects of the Northern Indian Union, such as the renovation of a school and a church, the restructuring of a center of influence, among others. “This type of partnership favors the advancement of the preaching of the gospel bilaterally since both Unions are motivated and inspired,” says Aline Piologro, leader of the UCOB Missions Institute.

Participants also saw the recognition of pathfinder Adrian, who, through first aid techniques learned at the club, was able to save a schoolmate who was choking.

The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.