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World Pathfinder Day At Central London Portuguese Speaking Church

World Pathfinder Day At Central London Portuguese Speaking Church

Emerson Ferraz

The Sabbath of 14th September was really special at Central London Portuguese Speaking Church as it was celebrated the World Pathfinder Day.

It commenced at 10am with the Pathfinders leading the Sabbath School and continued throughout the worship service.

The church was packed with over 200 members and several visitors which included former pathfinders and their families as well as Pathfinders of Oxford Portuguese Speaking Church which is composed of 90% non-adventists.

After marching towards the front of the church, the Pathfinders performed a choreography which shows the duties and mission of a Pathfinder. See link attached: https://youtu.be/NwQvYPh5KyU

They spent three months during their school holidays to learn and practice the choreography which had the participation of the little Julia Rosa, a six-year old girl. Although she is still an adventurer, she was allowed to join when she was spotted copying the choreographers from a distance during one of their first practices. 

Another part of the ceremony was the investiture of four Pathfinders who received their scarf from the hands of Master Guide Fernando Franko which was followed by a special song, “Make Me a Servant”, performed by Gabriella Pedditzi, a fourteen-year old pathfinder. This song describes exactly what the Pathfinders are taught.

Elder Jarbas Borges was invited to deliver God’s message as he was part of the leadership in the past. In his message, he stressed the importance of being faithful to bible principles sharing the story of Daniel’s three friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

When the worship service ended, two former Pathfinders approached the leader of the club; one to tell her she would like to join the club again and the other to express his desire to come back to church.

One of the non-Adventist visitors, Mrs Luciana Prado de Oliveira not only congratulated the leaders for their work with the Pathfinders but made the following comment on her company social media where she also placed the video of their performance: “I am overwhelmed with this group of Christian scouts. I watched 50 children and teenagers doing a presentation. It really touched my heart. I find this important for mental and emotional health. I am not involved with this group but am willing to contribute somehow”.

And her contribution has been effective. Through her, two children have already approached the Club with the intention to join it.

And she continued:” It is running by the Adventist church but the majority are not Adventists. To be a Christian is an advantage but not conditional”.

Members and guests remained in the church for a fellowship lunch where it celebrated six years of the return of the club after some years of inactivity.

But the celebration did not end on Sabbath. In fact, it had its apex on Sunday where three Pathfinders surrendered their lives to God through a baptism performed by Pr Clebson Braga in the cold waters of Camber Sands beach.

The church hired a coach to this special ceremony and over 50 members gathered together by the sea to watch this unique and precious moment in the lives of these three youngsters.

As Ellen G. White said: “We have an army of youth today who can do much if they are properly directed and encouraged. We want our children to believe in the truth. We want them to be blessed of God. We want them to act a part in well-organized plans for helping other youth”

That is what the Portuguese Speaking Church aims for and together with our leaders and parents we will move forward.