Pathfinder Bible Experience: A First for GSC

Pr Dejan Stojkovic, Sydney Adventist Youth Director

On November 22nd, for the first time in the Greater Sydney Conference—and potentially in all of Australia—we reached a significant milestone. We were thrilled to host the inaugural regional test for the Pathfinder Bible Experience, marking the beginning of something special in our ministry.

The Pathfinder Bible Experience is deeply rooted in the Adventist church’s longstanding commitment to valuing the study of God’s Word. This initiative brings that focus back into the hearts of our youth. As part of Greater Sydney Conference’s broader strategy, one of our core goals is to raise the spiritual temperature across our church, and the youth department believes that the Pathfinder Bible Experience is a wonderful way to do that.

Pathfinder clubs across our region selected six teens for each team, appointed a coach, chose a team name, and then embarked on an intensive study of the Bible. For this 2024/2025 cycle, we focused on the books of Romans and 1 Corinthians. We were incredibly proud of our first five teams—one of which joined us virtually from Tasmania—who all performed exceptionally well.

These young people spent months preparing for four tests throughout the year, some even memorizing entire chapters or books of the Bible. The impact of this initiative is far-reaching. It’s not just about knowledge; it’s about returning to the basics of knowing God’s Word. Through this process, entire families have been engaging in Bible study together, and it’s our hope that along with helping our youth achieve high scores, it will also deepen their relationship with God and foster spiritual growth in their homes.

We were blessed by the leadership of Pastor Alban Matohiti, Greater Sydney Conference president, who served as the main question reader. His contribution was vital to making the event meaningful. Additionally, Nadelle Manners, Greater Sydney Conference CFO, delivered a powerful worship experience that inspired and uplifted those in attendance. We are so grateful for their support.

This is just the beginning, and with hope we look forward to other regions of this beautiful country joining us. Together, we can spread the blessings of this experience throughout our union, and perhaps even to the wider division.

If you’re wondering whether it’s too late to join, the answer is no! You can still gather your team, start studying Romans and 1 Corinthians, and join us for the next test on February 22, 2025.

For more information, contact Pr Dejan Stojkovic at dejanstojkovic@adventist.org.au.