More Than 10,000 Pathfinders Answer Call to “Rebuild the Altar”

Thousands of Pathfinders from across the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) gathered at Mountain View College (MVC) in the Philippines on February 23 for the grand opening of the regional Pathfinder Camporee. Themed “Rebuild the Altar,” the event aims to deepen the spiritual commitment of young Adventists by encouraging regular communion with God and strengthening their role as witnesses for Christ.

Pathfinder delegations from 11 countries—the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia—marched in colorful uniforms, carrying their national flags as they assembled for the highly anticipated opening program.

The largest delegations came from Mindanao in the Philippines, with 5,135 Pathfinders from the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SwPUC) and 3,046 from the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM).

A Call to Rebuild the Altar

The opening ceremony included messages from church leaders that emphasized the importance of spiritual renewal and leadership development among the youth. Junifer Colegado, youth director of the Adventist Church in the SwPUC, welcomed participants, followed by Alevir Pido, education director of the SwPUC. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gather young Adventists for this special event.

SSD Pathfinder director Anukul Ritchil encouraged participants to embrace the camporee experience as an opportunity to “learn, serve, and grow.” Quoting the Pathfinder motto, he reminded them, “For the love of God constraineth us,” as he highlighted the camporee’s mission to nurture a strong foundation in faith.

In his keynote message, SSD treasurer Jacinto Adap urged young Pathfinders to actively participate in the various activities designed to equip them for future challenges. “I want all of you to take advantage of all the activities you will have here, as this will help prepare you for the future,” he said. “An altar is a place where you meet God. Rebuilding the altar is a call to meet with Him.”

The camporee’s core mission is to cultivate regular communion with God, build an intimate relationship with Him, and develop committed witnesses for His work. Leaders emphasized that the event is not just about skills training and outdoor adventures but, more important, about spiritual revival and personal transformation.

A Grand Parade to Jumpstart the Camporee

The following day, campers, along with their leaders and teachers, kicked off the morning with an energetic parade around the MVC campus. Armed with their national flags, drum and lyre bands, and marching, the young Pathfinders showcased their discipline.

The parade not only ignited the campers’ enthusiasm but also set the tone for the day’s full schedule of exciting activities, team-building exercises, and faith-building workshops.

One of the highlights of the program was a fast and review drill conducted by South Philippine Adventist College (SPAC), featuring more than 80 representatives who showed precision, discipline, and teamwork, inspiring fellow Pathfinders to embrace the values of obedience, leadership, and excellence.

Other institutions, including Mindanao Mission Academy, and representatives from the Jakarta Conference also took part in the opening activities, setting the stage for an eventful week that, according to organizers, will be filled with spiritual enrichment, leadership training, and service opportunities.

As the SSD-wide Pathfinder Camporee continues, Pathfinders will engage in worship services, leadership development sessions, evangelistic outreach, and physical challenges. “They are designed to shape them into well-rounded individuals ready to serve their communities,” organizers said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.