Many Baptized at BAYDA’s “Knowin’ Him” Camporee "Knowin’ Him Through Heritage, Service, Sacrifice, Worship, and Relationships” was the focus of an international camporee sponsored by the Black Adventist Youth Directors' Association (BAYDA) in Pennsylvania. Nearly 5,000 Pathfinders from the United States, Bermuda and Africa came for the four-day event. "God has placed young people in our hands, so we can help them get to know Him,” said James Black, North American Division Pathfinder director, while preaching at the camporee. “And as I travel around North America, I meet young people who say, ‘Pastor, I know the doctrines, I know my memory verses, but help me know God for myself.’” Alphonso McCarthy, North Pacific Union youth director, said, “Pathfinders give a sense of belonging, a sense of worth and something to achieve....This camporee allows them to see that there are other Christian young people facing the same issues they are and that their church is providing support for them.” During the event, attendees earned honors, participated in drill and drum corp competitions, took part in two days of community service, and learned from a variety of speakers. At each program, the youth led out in the song service, served as emcees and showcased their talents for speaking, drama, music and worship. Claude Harris, Allegheny East Conference youth and Pathfinder director and BAYDA president, explained that there are needs that various culture groups have that are not met nor emphasized at other events. “We support all of the church’s major events, and our large attendance proves that," he said. "But it’s very exciting to see the faces of our youth as they get an opportunity to be center stage..." When the young people heard the Friday night challenge by Black, “Don’t go to sleep tonight without getting to know Jesus,” they responded by the dozens. On Sabbath, a small group of young people stepped into the camp pond to be baptized. But as they came out the water, two more came forward. As those two came up from the watery grave, another came forward. And yet another. They just kept coming until 17 young people had taken the plunge. “Now that’s what this is all about,” Harris remarked. “Praise the Lord! This is what it’s all about.” BAYDA’s next event is an international youth congress in 2006. For more information on BAYDA, visit www.camporeebayda.org or contact your conference youth director.
Many Baptized at BAYDA’s “Knowin’ Him” Camporee
"Knowin’ Him Through Heritage, Service, Sacrifice, Worship, and Relationships” was the focus of an international camporee sponsored by the Black Adventist Youth Directors' Association (BAYDA) in Pennsylvania. Nearly 5,000 Pathfinders from the United States, Bermuda and Africa came for the four-day event.
"God has placed young people in our hands, so we can help them get to know Him,” said James Black, North American Division Pathfinder director, while preaching at the camporee. “And as I travel around North America, I meet young people who say, ‘Pastor, I know the doctrines, I know my memory verses, but help me know God for myself.’”
Alphonso McCarthy, North Pacific Union youth director, said, “Pathfinders give a sense of belonging, a sense of worth and something to achieve....This camporee allows them to see that there are other Christian young people facing the same issues they are and that their church is providing support for them.”
During the event, attendees earned honors, participated in drill and drum corp competitions, took part in two days of community service, and learned from a variety of speakers. At each program, the youth led out in the song service, served as emcees and showcased their talents for speaking, drama, music and worship.
Claude Harris, Allegheny East Conference youth and Pathfinder director and BAYDA president, explained that there are needs that various culture groups have that are not met nor emphasized at other events. “We support all of the church’s major events, and our large attendance proves that," he said. "But it’s very exciting to see the faces of our youth as they get an opportunity to be center stage..."
When the young people heard the Friday night challenge by Black, “Don’t go to sleep tonight without getting to know Jesus,” they responded by the dozens. On Sabbath, a small group of young people stepped into the camp pond to be baptized. But as they came out the water, two more came forward. As those two came up from the watery grave, another came forward. And yet another. They just kept coming until 17 young people had taken the plunge.
“Now that’s what this is all about,” Harris remarked. “Praise the Lord! This is what it’s all about.”
BAYDA’s next event is an international youth congress in 2006. For more information on BAYDA, visit www.camporeebayda.org or contact your conference youth director.
The owner of this cap is a champion at pin trading, a favorite activity at camporees.
With an attendance of 5,000 campers sitting on the hillside, the the "Knowin' Him" camporee featured wonderful evening events at the main stage area.
At the recent "Knowin' Him" camporee in Pennsylvania, 17 young people were baptized.
