Weather forecasters predicted rain and even tornadoes during the recent Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder Fair in Lewiston, Idaho. But instead, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit's power appeared to be the majority of the precipitation.
Eight hundred and four Pathfinders and club staff gathered at the Nez Perce County Fairgrounds for the annual Pathfinder Fair. At this year's fair, more than 72 young people, ages 8–16, made a decision to be baptized, and "an army of youth" delivered more than 1,800 packets of GLOW tracts and Steps to Christ booklets to residents in the community.
"The speaker was awesome, and I can't wait to start my Bible study," says Tianna Whorrall, Spokane (Wash.) Lynwood Torchbearers Pathfinder Club member, who made a commitment to be baptized this year.
The worship speaker for the weekend event was Tim Riesenberger, an emergency room doctor from Tacoma, Wash. His stories of medical work in the emergency room and the mission field gave listeners a vivid picture of how God can give sinners a new heart and an abundant life.
Riesenberger shared a story about a young girl named Helen whom he diagnosed with a heart condition. He used her story as a parable to illustrate how we all need a spiritual heart transplant.
"I didn't realize 'til I heard that story that someone had to die in order to get a new heart," says Carlie Haeger, of the Brewster (Wash.) Blazers Club, who also made a decision to be baptized this year.
Riesenberger also explained why a loving God must someday end the lives those who choose not to follow Him. "Every parent, good or bad, is desperate to save their child when they are in the ER," he says. "But when they know there is nothing more that can be done to save their life, no parent wants to continue to inflict the pain of life support on that child."
On Sabbath Pathfinders spent the afternoon delivering Gospel literature door to door in several Lewiston neighborhoods and giving health age appraisals at six different locations in town, including grocery stores, malls and K-Mart shopping centers.
On Sunday, in addition to the annual craft show and marching competition, this year's fair included a unique kind of soapbox car race.
For the complete story and photos, go online to uccsda.org.
The Deer Park Mountaineers Pathfinder Club splashes through the Mud Bog during the Soap Box Derby Race at the Pathfinder Fair in Lewiston, Idaho.
Speaker for this year's Pathfinder fair, Tim Riesenberger, an Emergency Room doctor from Tacoma, Wash., shares about how much love he has noticed parents have for their children who are dying, and that God's love is even greater.
Jessie Humbert, 14, of the Wheatland Coyotes Pathfinder Club holds a guiding flag as he waits for the grand parade to start at the Pathfinder Fair in Lewiston, Idaho.
Pictured here are Pathfinders in the fairgrounds in Lewiston, Idaho.
