by Lennie Schiefer
There was something unusual about the evangelistic series held this spring at New Port Richey, Fla., Church. The sermon titles were the usual topics, and even the theme, His Way of Hope, was familiar; yet, something was definitely different!
Overall, there was a new vitality and a new expectancy as it became apparent this was not the typical, grandparents’ church meeting or, for that matter, your parents’. This was a program led in all facets by Pathfinder youth, including speakers, platform participants, special music, and ushering.
Before the series began, Pathfinders went door to door inviting people with descriptive brochures. Advertising appeared on the internet, radio, and in the newspaper. Church members were encouraged to hand out business card invitations.
Carol Koch, Pathfinder Director for 35 years, reports, “The kids were enthusiastic with the Share Him evangelistic series that included visual presentations through videos and materials they used on a laptop computer.” The names, grade level of the speakers, and topics were:
- Markley Richard, 5th grade, How To Start Over
- Liam Montanez, 8th grade, The God of Creation & A Better Way
- Myranda Rodriquez, 8th grade, Rescue
- Tabitha Hobbs, 10th grade, Signs of the End of Times
- David Hecht, 11th grade, God’s Indestructible Sign & The Restoration of All Things
- Jake Hecht, Youth Leader, How Can You Know the Future?
- Miles Patterson, 9th grade, What Happened at the Cross?
Three people were baptized at the close of the series, and five more were baptized the following Sabbath.
Lynn and Leann Hecht, evangelism coordinators, helped Pathfinders put the meetings together; however, actual instruction for the program was received at a weekend retreat held in January 2012 by the Florida Conference Youth Department at Pine Lake Retreat, Groveland, Fla. Attendees paid one-third of their registration fee to the retreat, with the Conference and the local church each contributing an additional one-third of the cost.