On March 27, 2022, 39 teen Pathfinders and staff gathered for the 24th annual Teen Pathfinder Mission Adventure. They arrived ready for a week full of community service, worship and fun at the East Wenatchee Valley View Church.
The goal of TPMA is to show young people there is a mission field right outside their door. It also gives Pathfinders a mission trip experience without barriers like cost or hesitance towards traveling far from home.
TPMA began in 1997 under the leadership of Steve Meharry and the assistance of Frosty and June Cross. Through the years, TPMA has served UCC Adventist churches and schools, their communities, Camp MiVoden, Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory and Union Gospel Mission Camp.
This year, TPMA was led by Jared Meharry and other outstanding staff. The teens worked on multiple projects including painting the exterior, parking lot markings and curbs of the East Wenatchee Valley View Church. Many of the Pathfinders also helped with landscaping and surprised many church members when cleared overgrowth exposed a rock retaining wall. Some said they didn’t even know a wall was there!
Other projects included building a retaining wall and landscaping the Abundant Life Church and Cascade Christian Academy. The group made a special effort to deliver gift baskets to members who lost spouses due to COVID-19 or other illnesses. They also spent time removing trash along the Columbia River Bank which was featured on the front page of the local Wenatchee World newspaper!
The team found that while the teens and their staff accomplish an amazing amount of work within the week, the real mission was the mentoring, training and spiritual investments that took place.
Pathfinders meet for Sabbath School at East Wenatchee church.
Jared Meharry, running a paint sprayer as part of the Pathfinder community service project.
