Category Archives: Pathfinders

PBE Conference 2024 in Review

Pathfinders Make God’s Word a Priority at PBE Conference Level

 

By Jenna Lettsome and Valeria Bentivegna (translation)

 

They could be doing ANYTHING else with their time, but some Pathfinders have chosen to make God’s word a major priority in life. This past weekend, Potomac Conference held its second round of PBE testing, graciously hosted by Southern Asian Seventh-day Adventist Church (SASDAC). All 23 teams that had progressed from the Area level competed, with 18 teams placing in both first and second to move on to the Union level. 

“In Potomac [Conference], we do things a bit differently here. Most conferences have a 90% scoring level (First Place)  that is required to move on from level to level, but we allow 2nd and (some, depending on score) 3rd Place teams to move on from Area and include 2nd Place teams in the group that will continue to Union from Conference testing,” says PBE Conference Coordinator Jeveline Lettsome, when asked about why the Potomac Conference utilizes this method of placement and scoring (sometimes known as the Wildcard). “This is to give a chance for our Pathfinders to study the Bible longer and to encourage memorization practice longer. This is not school!”

This year, with the Conference level held in person, teams were given both NearPod and handwritten ways to record their answers before time was up, a reminder of the pre-pandemic times where mini clipboards and pens were seen in the hands of the team scribes. This increased their chances of correct answers as computer technology has been known to occasionally disconnect when so many devices are connected to the same network. Along with the teams and various monitors, A multitude of parents, coaches and family members showed their support by sitting in the audience section, patiently and silently watching as the session took place. 

Once testing had drawn to a close after question 90, worship was hosted by the new PBE Culture Initiative (PBECI) team, a group dedicated to supporting in both online and in-person ways to the greater PBE community, stretching out a hand to facilitate the building of culture and villages surrounding our pathfinders. This new initiative also introduced the Potomac Conference PBE Hall of Fame, a special list that will add on members each year, celebrating the achievements of extraordinary Pathfinders who made a difference in the program. For this year, three inductees were selected and announced:

 

The Leesburg Two of the Leesburg Soaring Eagles: This team competed in 2017 with only two teammates. Ilcias Jr.  and Samuel Vargas were brothers who created the first team the club had. They competed up until Union Level (the first team of 2 to do so), and the following year, encouraged more pathfinders to join their team where they made it to the North American Division (NAD) level in 2018 and also presented a song that will not be forgotten about the ten sons of Haman.

The second was the Arlington Pioneros Spanish Team of the Arlington Pioneers Club: This team was the first club in the conference to compete in Spanish and make it all the way to NAD in 2018. During the time they competed, they were under Head Coach Yerusi Fajardo.

And the third of 2024 was Tigor Lettsome formerly of the Beltsville Broncos Club. As of 2021, he remains the only Pathfinder in the division who competed for all eight years of PBE eligibility and scored a first place at all 32 of the competitions he and his teams competed in from 2014 to 2021.

(For more information on the Hall of Fame inductees, please visit the PBE Hall of Fame and Coach of the Year section on the Potomac Conference Pathfinder’s website after 2/29/2024 where full bios will be located on each inductee)

 

With this launch of the PBECI the Conference’s PBE leadership hopes to gain more support and participation in the program from around its territory as they also invited 3 local pastors to join the judges’ section. We’d like to thank Pastors Gerald Christo from SASDAC (Sentinels), Daniel Royo from Burnt Mills (Bluejays), and Willy Benzaquen from Capital Spanish (Eagles). Congratulations to all the teams who have participated thus far, and good luck to those moving onto Union Level Testing. For those seeking to study Romans and 1 & 2 Corinthians for next year, study materials will soon become available. Union will be hosted by the New Jersey Conference on March 9th 2024 at Tranquility Camp.

More information can be found at https://www.tranquilitycamp.org

 

 

 

 

 

Conquistadores priorizan la palabra de Dios en el nivel de PBE Conferencia

 

Por Jenna Lettsome and Valeria Bentivegna (traducción)

 

Podrían hacer CUALQUIER otra cosa con su tiempo, pero algunos Conquistadores han elegido hacer de la palabra de Dios una prioridad importante en la vida. El fin de semana pasado, la Conferencia de Potomac celebró su segunda ronda de PBE, organizada por la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día del Sur de Asia (SASDAC). Los 27 equipos que habían progresado desde el nivel de Área compitieron, y 18 equipos quedaron en primer y segundo lugar para pasar al nivel de Unión.

“En Potomac [Conferencia], hacemos las cosas un poco diferentes. La mayoría de las conferencias tienen un nivel de puntuación del 90 % (primer lugar) que se requiere para pasar de un nivel a otro, pero permitimos que los equipos del 2do y (algunos, dependiendo de la puntuación) del 3er lugar, pasen del nivel de área e incluyan a los equipos de 2do lugar en el grupo que continuará con la Unión desde las pruebas de la Conferencia”, dice Jeveline Lettsome, coordinadora de PBE de la Conferencia, cuando se le preguntó por qué la Conferencia de Potomac utiliza este método de colocación y puntuación (a veces conocido como comodín). “Esto es para darles a nuestros Conquistadores la oportunidad de estudiar la Biblia por más tiempo y alentar la práctica de la memorización por más tiempo. ¡Esto no es la escuela!”

 

Este año, con el nivel de la Conferencia celebrado en persona, los equipos recibieron opciones tanto NearPod como escritas a mano para anotar sus respuestas antes de que se acabara el tiempo, un recordatorio de los tiempos previos a la pandemia en los que se veían mini portapapeles y bolígrafos en manos de los escribas del equipo. Esto aumentó sus posibilidades de obtener respuestas correctas, ya que se sabe que la tecnología se desconecta ocasionalmente cuando hay tantos dispositivos conectados a la misma red.

Junto a los equipos y monitores, multitud de padres, entrenadores y familiares mostraron su apoyo sentándose en la zona de audiencia, observando con paciencia y silencio cómo se desarrollaba la sesión.

Una vez que las pruebas llegaron a su fin después de la pregunta 90, el culto fue organizado por el nuevo equipo de la Iniciativa Cultural de PBE (PBECI), un grupo dedicado a apoyar, tanto en línea como en persona, a la comunidad de PBE en general, extendiendo una mano para facilitar la construcción de cultura y pueblos que rodean a nuestros pioneros. Esta nueva iniciativa también presentó el Salón de la Fama PBE de la Conferencia de Potomac, una lista especial que agregará miembros cada año, celebrando los logros de los Conquistadores extraordinarios que han marcado una diferencia en el programa. Para este año, se seleccionaron y anunciaron tres miembros:

 

The Leesburg Two del Leesburg Soaring Eagles: este equipo compitió en 2017 con solo dos compañeros: Ilcías Jr. y Samuel Vargas fueron hermanos que crearon el primer equipo que tuvo el club. Compitieron hasta Union Level (el primer equipo de 2 en hacerlo) y, al año siguiente, alentaron a más pioneros a unirse a su equipo, donde llegaron al nivel de la División Norteamericana (NAD) en 2018 y también presentaron una canción que no se olvidará sobre los diez hijos de Amán.

El segundo fue el equipo hispano de Arlington Pioneros del Arlington Pioneers Club: este equipo fue el primer club de la conferencia en competir en español y llegar hasta NAD en 2018. Durante el tiempo que compitieron, estuvieron bajo la dirección del entrenador en jefe Yerusi Fajardo.

Y el tercero de 2024 fue Tigor Lettsome, ex miembro del Beltsville Broncos Club. Hasta el 2023, sigue siendo el único Pathfinder en la división que compitió durante los ocho años de elegibilidad para PBE y obtuvo 1er lugar en las 32 competencias en las que él y sus equipos compitieron desde el 2014 a el 2021.

 

(Para obtener más información sobre los miembros del Salón de la Fama, visite la sección “Salón de la Fama y Entrenador del Año de PBE” en la página web de Potomac Conference Pathfinder después del 29/02/2024, donde se ubicarán biografías completas de cada miembro)

 

Con este lanzamiento del PBECI, el liderazgo de PBE de la Conferencia espera obtener más apoyo y participación en el programa de todo su territorio, ya que también invitaron a 3 pastores locales a unirse a la sección de jueces. Nos gustaría agradecer a los pastores Gerald Christo de SASDAC (Sentinels), Daniel Royo de Burnt Mills (Bluejays) y Willy Benzaquen de Capital Spanish (Eagles). Felicitaciones a todos los equipos que han participado hasta ahora y buena suerte a los que pasan a las pruebas del nivel de Unión. Para aquellos que deseen estudiar Romanos y 1era y 2da de Corintios para el próximo año, pronto estarán disponibles materiales de estudio. El nivel de Union será organizado por la Conferencia de Nueva Jersey el 9 de marzo de 2024 en Tranquility Camp.

Más información se puede encontrar en: https://www.tranquilitycamp.org

 

Pathfinders Celebrate the Start of the 2024 PBE Season / Conquistadores Celebran el Inicio de la Temporada de PBE 2024

Potomac Conference Area 2024 Hybrid Competition
Potomac Conference Area 2024 Hybrid Competition

 

Pathfinders Celebrate the Start of the 2024 PBE Season

By Jenna Lettsome and Valeria Bentivegna (translation)

 

The Potomac Conference kicked off the Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) year with the area competition this past Sabbath afternoon. Within 4 hours, 27 teams had finished answering 90 questions based off of the books of the year: Joshua and Judges. This year, the Pathfinders are throwing themselves into cinematic-worthy battles, life-changing alliances, and divine appointments as they study their bibles- the greatest story of them all. It’s not an easy task, committing to memory the hundreds of verses they’ve promised to study. Much like the tribes of Israel they’re learning about, this on-fire group of youth are creating their story: the 2024 Pathfinder Bible Experience. Twenty-seven teams of six Pathfinders each (plus alternates) have set aside time in their busy schedules to be a part of a legacy that is now 13 years old, of young people, on fire for God,  learning to be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:17, from PBE year 2017). 

During the area competition (the first of 4 levels), Potomac welcomed back the Woodbridge Cardinals, the Fredericksburg Patriots, and the SASDAC Sentinels after a short hiatus. They were also joined by the RPC Royals, who after a challenging year, decided to unofficially compete (participated without placement) to prepare their teams for next year when we will be studying and competing on the books of Romans and 1st & 2nd Corinthians. Of the 25 teams competing for placement, 23 will be moving on to the conference level held in Maryland in February.

 

Since its beginning, Potomac has celebrated their Pathfinders for the continuing efforts each and every team member has put in and added to the experience. We know that this activity is truly one where Pathfinders get the opportunity to not only set aside time for learning the Bible, but also get to know their God in an awesome and personal way. We also thank their villages: the many coaches, parents, and directors who provide their pride and support in creating this culture for our young leaders. 

 

For those of you interested in finding out more about PBE in the Potomac Conference, or want to vicariously join our journey and see what our young leaders are up to, or you are a member (or alum!) of our amazing conference-wide PBE family, join us on instagram at @potomacpbe or on the Potomac Pathfinders Facebook page!

If any clubs wish to send quotes, pictures, or stories from your teams and coaches as we embark on this journey together, please email potomac.pbe@gmail.com

 

Visit us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/potomacpbe?igsh=MTQ5YzVkMXhjMWt4&utm_source=qr

Visit us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/potomac.official

Visit us on our Website:

https://potomacclubministries.org/pathfinder-bible-experience-pbe

 

 

Conquistadores Celebran el Inicio de la Temporada de PBE 2024

 

Por Jenna Lettsome y Valeria Bentivegna (traducción)

 

La Conferencia de Potomac inició el año de Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) con la competencia del nivel de área este sábado pasado en la tarde. En 4 horas, 27 equipos terminaron de responder 90 preguntas basadas en los libros de este año: Josue y Jueces. Este año, los Conquistadores se lanzarán a batallas dignas de admiración, conexiones que cambiarán sus vidas y citas divinas mientras estudian sus Biblias – la historia más grandiosa de todas. No es una tarea fácil, memorizar los cientos de versículos que han prometido aprender. Al igual que las tribus de Israel, de las cuales están aprendiendo, este grupo de jóvenes apasionados está creando su historia: the Pathfinder Bible Experience del 2024. 27 equipos compuestos de 6 Conquistadores cada uno (más los suplentes) han sacado tiempo de sus horarios ocupados para ser parte de un legado que ya tiene 13 años, de jóvenes, ardientes por Dios, aprendiendo a ser “enteramente preparados para toda buena obra.” (2 Tim 3:17, PBE  2017). 

Durante la competencia del nivel de área (el primero de 4 niveles), Potomac dio la bienvenida a los Woodbridge Cardinals, los Fredericksburg Patriots y los SASDAC Sentinels después de haber tomado una breve pausa. También se les unieron los RPC Royals, quienes después de un año desafiante, decidieron competir de manera no oficial (participaron sin ser calificados) para preparar a sus equipos para el próximo año, cuando estudiaremos y competiremos sobre los libros de Romanos y 1era y 2da de Corintios. De los 25 equipos que compitieron para ser calificados, 23 pasarán al nivel de conferencia que tomara lugar en Maryland en febrero.

Desde sus inicios, Potomac ha celebrado a sus Conquistadores por los esfuerzos continuos que todos los miembros del equipo han realizado y aportado a la experiencia. Sabemos que esta actividad es verdaderamente una en la que los Conquistadores tienen la oportunidad no sólo de reservar tiempo para aprender la Biblia, sino también de conocer a  Dios de una manera maravillosa y personal. También agradecemos a sus grupos de apoyo: los muchos entrenadores, padres y directores que brindan su orgullo y apoyo en la creación de esta cultura para nuestros líderes jovenes.

Para aquellos de ustedes que están interesados en saber más sobre PBE en la Conferencia de Potomac, o quieren unirse indirectamente a nuestro recorrido y ver qué están haciendo nuestros líderes jóvenes, o son miembros (¡o ex-alumnos!) de nuestra increíble familia de PBE a nivel de conferencia, únete a nosotros en instagram en @potomacpbe o en la pagina de Potomac Pathfinders en Facebook!

Si algún club desea enviar frases/citas, fotos o historias de sus equipos y entrenadores mientras nos embarcamos en este viaje juntos, envíanos un correo electrónico a potomac.pbe@gmail.com

 

Visítanos en Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/potomacpbe?igsh=MTQ5YzVkMXhjMWt4&utm_source=qr

 

Visítanos en Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/potomac.official

 

Visítanos en Pagina Web:

https://potomacclubministries.org/pathfinder-bible-experience-pbe

 

The Baptism of Gabriel Wilkerson

New Birth In Baptism 

On 8/26/2023, Gabriel Wilkerson became the newest member of the Breath Of Life SDA church and was publicly immersed in the water to demonstrate his commitment to follow Jesus’s example through Baptism. We celebrate with his family and pray that he will continue on trusting God as he serves his country as a member of the US Air Force.
Four years ago, at the International Pathfinder Camporee, Gabriel and his mother searched for a Teen Leadership Training program bring offered by a Pathfinder Club in the DC Metro area. They found the Beltsville Broncos Club in the Potomac Conference. Gabriel had completed his Guide level and wanted to do more and receive Christian Leadership Training. He brought his three younger brothers to join the  club with him. The commitment he demonstrated throughout this four year program has been exemplary. Two years ago he also began his Master Guide Journey  with the club counselors. Towards the end of this journey, his study of the Master Guide requirements, combined with his collective study, and Pathfinder experiences with his counselors over these many years helped him realize the importance baptism. He understood that making the very public declaration to follow the examples of Jesus begins with baptism. This is the link to witness a new birth for yourself: Gabriel’s Baptism
We are looking forward to continue our journey with him and his brothers as mentors and family no matter where this life takes them. May the God of peace protect and keep him safe throughout all his life journeys, so that he may continue to be a powerful witness to the supreme power of the living God of Creation.

 

July 11 Directors’ Meeting

Welcome to 2021-2022 Pathfinder Year

July 1 is the beginning of our 2021-2022 Pathfinder Year.  It was good to have our club directors and their deputies join us for our July 11 directors’ meeting. Pastor Sherilyn O’Ffill and the Potomac Conference Coordinators are looking forward to a wonderful and challenging year filled with many opportunities to share Jesus Christ with your Pathfinders. We are posting the full video of the meeting here for you to review so club directors can successfully plan the 2021-2022 Pathfinder Year.
As information becomes available, it will be added to new posts on this website, so check-in for updates.

Directors Meeting Power Point – Director_Meeting_2021

Directors Meeting PDF – Director_Meeting_2021

It Starts With Me

It Starts With ME

2020 Potomac Pathfinders Camporee Logo

Friday Night Worship

 

Here are the placements for the Sabbath afternoon Scavenger Hunt.

Most Creative Photo – Wheaton Spanish – Team 4

Most Creative Team Name – Fredricksburg – Team 9 (Reasonable Amount of TP)

Most Items Completed – Seabrook – Team 1

Most Teams Participating – Capital Spanish – 18 teams

Top Scoring Clubs:
1st Place – Seabrook – average 165 points

2nd Place – Fredricksburg – average 142 points

3rd Place – Wheaton Spanish – average 136 points

Top Scoring Teams:

Seabrook – Team 1 – 240 points

Beltsville – Matiras + Ezekiel – 235 points

Beltsville – Illangovan + Alec – 215 points

 

Bread Dough Honor

 

Here is the Bread Dough honor worksheet

BREAD DOUGH HONOR WORKSHEET

Ingredients List:  Please have the following items available and ready to use during our presentation.

1 – 2 Cups           Flour

½ Cup                    Salt

½ Cup                    Water

Food Coloring

Gloves

Paper Plate

Mixing Bowl

Paper Towel

After the honor time is over, you will need access to an oven or some other way of getting your art completely dry before you paint and/or seal it.

HOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS WORK FOR ALL OF US:

1 – Attached is the worksheet for the honor.  It is a fillable PDF so if you want, you can open it and type in your answers in the fields provided.  This is so that you can show both your completed worksheet and your finished projects to your director or counselor.  Once you do this they will be able to get the honor patch to you.

2 – PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS AN ADULT nearby while you are in this session.  This is for your safety and so that they can help you with parts of this honor process which might be more difficult and/or riskier (a hot oven).

Enjoy

Chris Walker’s Memorial

 Hello everyone,

Chris Walker’s Memorial will be broadcasted live from his Facebook account on Sunday August 9th. Please join us here at 4pm eastern time.

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=552598276

YouTube Broadcast

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKXJGa_9o2iD3WONYFvjijQ/videos
This is the link to the YouTube channel where the memorial will also be livestreamed. Please share with anyone who is not friends with Chris on facebook or does not have access to facebook

They might be testing the livestream equipment, so you might see the video start before then.

Here is the link to The YouTube tribute to Chris  I hope you enjoy it.  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4LY0tMRpYjs&t=3s


Posted on Facebook by Martha Kigernelson.

Christopher Alexander Walker was an amazing person whom many people loved and considered a close friend. Despite serious struggles with Sickle Cell Disease, he accomplished a great deal in his too-short life. His academic successes were impressive, but eclipsed by his achievements in youth ministry. His service to youth was as integral to him as breathing. He was a person who radiated joy and humor and warmth. He also understood the challenges of young people and knew how to connect with and support teens. He loved people and kept in touch with so many who needed that connection. He perceived needs and found ways to meet them, often putting people together with others who had the needed skills or resources. He chose to be joyful and grateful every day despite chronic and often severe pain. His faith was his foundation and he showed the world what the love of Jesus looks like in person. His influence will live on in those who were fortunate to share his life.

Potomac Pathfinders second Director’s Meeting

Moving Forward

We are grateful for the presentations that were made by each of the club directors.  Each demonstrated why Potomac Pathfinders is an effective and essential ministry at every level in Potomac Conference.  Our meeting was very productive, and we learned that we are all stronger when we press together, share information, and prayerfully seek God’s direction at every step in this ministry.  We learned that we have all found the Covid-19 environment very challenging to adjust to. We also learned:

  • that personalizing our approach to staff gives them the encouragement they need to move forward with us.
  • Making personal connections with our pathfinders increases they desire to continue because they have an increase sence of belonging.
  • This new environment constantly forces us to re-focus on the original intent of our club ministry.
  • We can maintain the health and safety of our club members and staff as we explore new creative ways to meet our required elements in the Pathfinder program.

As they become available, I will post the materials each presenter has shared as a resource to use in your ministry.

 

Agradecemos las presentaciones realizadas por cada uno de los directores del club. Cada uno demostró por qué Potomac Conquestadores es un ministerio eficaz y esencial en todos los niveles de la Conferencia Potomac. Nuestra reunión fue muy productiva, y aprendimos que todos somos más fuertes cuando nos unimos, compartimos información y buscamos en oración la dirección de Dios en cada paso de este ministerio. Aprendimos que a todos nos ha parecido muy difícil adaptarse al entorno Covid-19. También aprendimos:

  • que personalizar nuestro enfoque hacia el personal les da el aliento que necesitan para seguir adelante con nosotros.
  • Hacer conexiones personales con nuestros pioneros aumenta su deseo de continuar porque tienen un mayor sentido de pertenencia.
  • Este nuevo entorno nos obliga constantemente a reenfocarnos en la intención original del ministerio de nuestro club.
  • Podemos mantener la salud y la seguridad de los miembros y el personal de nuestro club a medida que exploramos nuevas formas creativas de cumplir con nuestros elementos requeridos en el programa Conquestadores.

A medida que estén disponibles, publicaré los materiales que cada presentador ha compartido como recurso para usar en su ministerio.

This is a presentation that was shared by the Olney Musketeers director, Andrew Herolds.

Esta es una presentación que fue compartida por el director de Olney Musketeers, Andrew Herolds.

The Presentation link

Nutrition Honor

Decoupage

Scantuary Presentation

Christian Citizenship