Thirteen Pathfinder teams met at Chehalis Church on March 8, 2026 to compete in the annual North Pacific Union Pathfinder Bible Experience, hosted by Washington Conference.
PBE is a team-based challenge put forward by North American Division to test the knowledge of each team on certain blocks of scripture. PBE was developed to encourage Pathfinders to conduct in-depth study and memorization of scripture and to help them reflect on how the Bible applies to their own lives. A new section of the Bible is selected each year, and this year’s focus was Isaiah chapters 1–33.
“ In Pathfinders, a young person has a chance to learn a lot of life skills,” shared Rob Lang, NPUC youth and young adult ministries director. “We could teach them all to be very excellent in life skills, but if they've not learned to engage in God's word and find the treasure that exists there for them, then we would've failed.”
Teams begin the competition by competing with teams from other local Pathfinder clubs. If they answer a certain percentage of the questions correctly, they then move on to the next round at their local conference level. The teams that do the best at the conference-level competition are then selected by a panel of judges to move forward to the union level.
“ PBE is amazing because it is a game, so kids are encouraged to approach the Bible and learn and memorize the Bible in new ways you would not believe,” shared Nestor Osman, Washington Conference youth director. “They're willing and able to repeat the Bible by memory. That is huge because the Bible has an impact on their lives. Sometimes we struggle trying to find ways for the kids to get happy and comfortable with the Bible and this is a great way to do it.”
Every single team scored high enough to progress to the division-level competition, setting an NPUC record high of 13 teams progressing to the final.
Idaho Conference:
- Cedar (Boise Ponderosa Pathfinder Club)
- Juniper (Boise Ponderosa Pathfinder Club)
- Tamarack (Boise Ponderosa Pathfinder Club)
Oregon Conference:
- Faithful Four (Albany Pathfinder Club)
- Holy Watchmen (Whipple Creek Watchmen Pathfinder Club)
- Remnant Watchmen (Whipple Creek Watchmen Pathfinder Club)
- Redeemed Watchmen (Whipple Creek Watchmen Pathfinder Club)
Upper Columbia Conference:
- Harvesters (Otis Orchards Harvesters Pathfinder Club)
- The Mustard Seeds (Goldendale Pioneers Pathfinder Club)
- Yakima Braves (Yakima Braves Pathfinder Club)
Washington Conference:
- Isaiah Warriors (Golden Sparrows Pathfinder Club)
- Rainy City Swords (Chehalis Mountaineers Pathfinder Club)
- Porcupines’ Brooms of Destruction (Sojourners Pathfinder Club)
The final round will be held in Hawthorne, Florida, on April 17–18, 2026.
The 2026–2027 PBE will focus on Mark, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John and 3 John. The next NPUC PBE event will be hosted by Upper Columbia Conference in early 2027.
*José Segovia, North Pacific Union media coordinator, conducted the referenced interviews.
A Whipple Creek Pathfinder Club leader prays over his team before testing.
Pathfinders, families and supporters fill the Chehalis Church sanctuary for PBE.
Rob Lang, NPUC youth and young adult director, addresses Pathfinders and their families gathered for PBE.
Club ministries directors from across NPUC gather on stage to announce the results.
