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Youth

Carmichael Pathfinders Reach Out to Unhoused People in Sacramento
Carmichael Pathfinders Reach Out to Unhoused People in Sacramento 960 720 nccsadmin
by Edwin Garcia
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The Carmichael Cougars Pathfinder Club ministered to people experiencing homelessness during an outreach activity that proved eye-opening.
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The club, which has 38 members, prepared 200 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, snacks, and water bottles and delivered them to people staying in tents near downtown Sacramento on a Sabbath afternoon last month.
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Pathfinders also handed out dozens of blankets and bags with toiletries that Carmichael church members had been collecting.
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“I feel sad that they stay here and that they lost their homes,” said Pathfinder Maria Melo as she walked along an encampment taking food to a tent. “I wish they could have a better Christmas with their families.”
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The activity was organized by club leaders, including Youth Pastor Benji Ferguson. He wanted Pathfinders to get a closer look at one of the community’s most complex issues. “One of the really important parts of Pathfinders is helping our students see that paths to ministry often lead us outside the walls of the church building,” he said. “Serving our neighbors, especially those in such obvious need, is what being the church is really all about.”
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More than 5,500 people are experiencing homelessness in Sacramento County, according to local advocates.
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Watch a video of the outreach activity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz7IyUgdcNk
  • Julie Lorenz
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Pathfinder/Adventurer Leadership Convention
Pathfinder/Adventurer Leadership Convention 720 540 Julie Lorenz

On Sabbath, Sept. 11, Pathfinder and Adventurer leaders from clubs around the conference gathered at the Gracepoint church in Rocklin for their annual leadership convention. Speakers included Jasmin Wilson, a clinic therapist at Child & Family Psychological Services in Michigan, and Ingrid Weiss Slikkers, assistant professor at the Andrews University School of Social Work and executive director of the International Center for Trauma Education and Care. The devotional speaker was Luccas Rodor, youth pastor at the Granite Bay Hilltop church.

“It was a very uplifting time as the speakers shared from the Word of God how best to reach out to kids,” said Heber Morales, Area 4 Pathfinder coordinator. “Several leaders told us that this was one of the best conventions they had attended. They were ready to put into practice what they learned.”

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NCC Pathfinder Camporee 2021
NCC Pathfinder Camporee 2021 720 540 Julie Lorenz
More than 150 Pathfinders and leaders attended the annual NCC Camporee at Redwood Area Camp this fall. Preston Willis, youth pastor at the Oakland Market Street church, served as the event’s speaker. Although fewer in number than typical years, the Pathfinders enthusiastically learned new camping skills, played games, and earned honors, including the hiking, chocolate, and coquí (frog) honors.
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Junior/Senior Retreat 2021
Junior/Senior Retreat 2021 720 540 Julie Lorenz

In October, nearly 200 people attended the NCC youth department’s annual Junior/Senior Retreat, designed for academy, high school, and home school juniors and seniors. Because Leoni Meadows is still closed after the Caldor Fire, the retreat was held at Mt. Gilead Bible Camp and Conference Center in Sebastopol. This year’s theme was “Surge,” based on Matt. 11:12, and the speaker was Pacific Union College Chaplain Kent Rufo.

“My favorite part of the retreat was getting into the small groups and talking to new people,” said Omar Martinez, Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy junior.

“The best part of the weekend had to be the worship programs,” said Catrina LeSure, Palo Cedro church associate pastor for youth and families. “Listening to the youth praise and worship together was a little bit of heaven on earth.”

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