In what leaders called “a demonstration of its expanding services to young people,” the Youth Ministries Department of the Gulf Field of the Seventh-day Adventist Church held its first Adventurers Fair at the field’s headquarters in Ras Al Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on March 24.
Themed “Jesus Knows, He Takes Care of You,” the inaugural event was attended by an enthusiastic crowd of about 400 Adventurers, parents, teachers, and leaders.
“This is the first time we are doing a fair for Adventurers,” Gulf Field youth director Freinald Matondo said. “As we know, fairs are normally for the Pathfinders. But our Adventurers have been asking for a fair of their own, and we decided to grant their request, as we are here to serve them.”
The event was modeled after the Pathfinder Fair. According to the Pathfinder Staff Manual, the Pathfinder Fair is a special day for the Pathfinder clubs of a conference or designated area. Usually, these occasions take place on Sunday and extend from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 or 5:00 in the afternoon. The club members are invited to come in uniform, bring hobbies and exhibits, prepare various demonstrations, be prepared to march in a parade, and participate in various skill events.
Fairs also provide opportunities for members and leaders to exchange ideas and get a sense of the strength of the clubs within the area. It gives a chance for club members to fellowship, to increase their sense of belonging to a larger organization that is successful and strong, and to see what other clubs in the conference are doing and learn from each other.
Adventurers from 10 different clubs across the United Arab Emirates acted out biblical parables in each of their club booths as a way of showing their love and understanding of Bible stories. They also participated in several other prepared fair activities including a puppet show, sack race, tug of war, lava walk, relay and other physical activities.
“We are happy to see the Youth Ministries expanding their activities to cater to the needs of every segment of the young people they serve,” Gulf Field president Marc Coleman said. “And we will continue to pray for and to support youth ministries activities in our field, to continue to engage the youth and to assure them that they are an integral part of the life of the church.”
