Seeing Jesus at the Camporee
Director, Senior Youth & Young Adult Ministries and Youth Ministries
As the sun was setting on Sabbath afternoon, and all our SCC Pathfinder clubs had safely left Gillette for home, I looked out upon the eight and a half football fields we had occupied and wondered, “What would people remember from our first camporee at Gillette, Wyoming? Would they focus on the portapotty problems? Trash troubles? Car, people, truck, and golf cart congestion on the Road to Moses?” Certainly, these were real issues that need addressing before the next camporee; however, that was not my focus.
The “Believe The Promise” theme for the 2024 Camporee centered on Moses; however, my mind went to Jesus’ words: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20, NKJV). Jesus
promised to be with us, no matter what, and I saw Him clearly present at the Gillette Camporee campgrounds. I saw Jesus in:
- Lynnette, our nurse who treated almost 100 patients with me—a few needed the hospital, and a few others needed our friend, Pam, and the wonderful medical team.
- Nuris, Rosy, Resa, Pastor Jillian, and our other Pathfinder advisory members, who tirelessly served our almost 1,800 SCC attendees and many others every day.
- Steve, who kept our generators running and helped fix our hose bib area so our Pathfinders could get water without being stuck in mud. Steve also organized pin trading.
- Benjamin and Nancy, who fed our staff every day, trying to get me to sit down for a few minutes to eat, even when that wasn’t possible.
- Pastors Javier and Antonia Elenes, who coordinated our 81 SCC baptisms and the more than 200 baptisms in the Pacific Union—Praise the Lord!
- Our club directors, who persevered in difficult circumstances, caring for their Pathfinders while thanking our team for our care and support.
- Our Pathfinders, who demonstrated incredible resilience in adversity and who loved the honors, activities, nighttime program, and, of course, pin trading!
- Our Pathfinders who chose to be baptized at Gillette, choosing a life with Jesus, believing His promises. What a privilege it was for me to baptize Alix, Taylor, Chiro, Derek, Chloe, and David.
- Angel and Travis, my friends from Hawaii, who called me after the Tuesday night thunderstorm and said “Hey, do you need tents?” During the storm they were impressed to buy 20 tents at Walmart and called to see if I needed some. I just laughed because Jesus is always ahead of my needs, saying, “Yes, I will gladly accept tents for my clubs!”
- We saw Jesus in a double rainbow right after the storm went through...another promise to us.
I also hope that people saw Jesus in me and my team when:
- We reunited five lost Pathfinders during the week, including one who suffered from hypothermia and an asthma exacerbation on Thursday evening—the smile on her face when her Connecticut family found her was priceless.
- We provided directions to countless camporee realms via our map station.
- We provided a safe space for pin trading, off the Road to Moses.
- We provided medical care to many from inside and outside Southern California.
- We provided charging stations, refresh- ments, and a place to sit down out of the weather at our SCC headquarters.
After my almost two weeks in Gillette, I believe Jesus’ promises with a new vigor and intensity. Can you imagine the big camporee in heaven after Jesus’ second coming? Until then, let’s “Believe the Promise” and “Stand Strong.” See you at Gillette in 2029!
Visit https://www.facebook.com/iCamporee/ for more information photos, and videos from the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee.
Uniting to Serve: How Valley Crossroads Church and Mother’s Nutritional Center Are Transforming Lives in Southern California
BY ROSCOE SHIELDS
This summer, Valley Crossroads church became a beacon of hope and love for the local community. The church opened its doors and hearts in a special collaboration with Mother’s Nutritional Center to bring joy, support, and encouragement to everyone who attended.
This heartwarming event was more than just a gathering; it was a true testament to the power of partnership in spreading God’s love. From the moment guests arrived, they were greeted with warm smiles and open arms. The church grounds buzzed with the excitement of people coming together for a common purpose—to uplift and serve one another in the spirit of Christ. Mothers, fathers, children, and seniors alike found joy in the fellowship, each person feeling the love of Jesus through the kindness and care extended by the church and the nutritional center.
Mother’s Nutritional Center, known for its unwavering commitment to helping families access nutritious food, played a crucial role in the event. Their representatives, Alexis and Maribel, ensured that every family who needed assistance received it with a friendly, approachable demeanor. Their presence was a reminder of the importance of community support in nurturing both body and spirit.
THIS COLLABORATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP. THEIR SHARED MISSION OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY ALIGNS PERFECTLY WITH THE CHURCH’S GOAL OF REACHING OUT AND TOUCHING LIVES WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
The efforts of Valley Crossroads, combined with the support from Alexis and Maribel, created an environment where everyone felt valued and cared for. Whether it was a word of encouragement, a helping hand, or simply a listening ear, the day was filled with moments that left a lasting impact on everyone who attended.
This collaboration between Valley Crossroads and Mother’s Nutritional Center is just the beginning of a beautiful partnership. Both organizations are committed to continuing their work together, with future events already in the planning stages. Their shared mission of serving the community aligns perfectly with the church’s goal of reaching out and touching lives with the love of Christ.
If you missed this event, don’t worry—there are more opportunities to get involved and be blessed! Valley Crossroads church is eager to maintain this momentum with the aid of our thriving Community Service department. We invite you to join us at our upcoming events. To learn more about how you can be part of this growing community, visit us at valleysdachurch.com. We can’t wait to welcome you to “the friendliest place in the valley!”
Remember, when we come together as a community, we reflect the very heart of God. Let’s continue to support and uplift one another, making every day a chance to share His love.
