Pathfinders Take Evangelism Personally at Camporee
Pathfinders Take Evangelism Personally at Camporee
By Betty Cooney
"About 50 SCC Pathfinders were baptized at the 09 Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin," reported SCC Youth Ministry Director Bob Wong. Two SCC baptisms, however, were unexpected: two fathers of Pathfinder baptismal candidates who had long participated with their families in the Eagle Rock Church Pathfinder Club accepted their children's invitations in Oshkosh to be baptized with them."
Kevin and Kim Ong had planned to be baptized in the Alhambra Church, where the family attends. At the last minute, the boys and their youngest sister Kelly decided to be baptized at the Camporee instead.
Mario Ong attended the
camp pre-baptism class with his three children when his wife Esther needed to attend another camp function with the couple's two older daughters. When Pastor Donald Smith, met with the three candidates, he asked their father, "How about you, Mario?"
Ong's children also asked, "Daddy, why don't you join us?" Not wanting a divided home, Mario Ong decided to accept their invitation. He also had been having growing concerns about his previous church, which does not share Adventist thinking about smoking and drinking. In 21 years, he had become well aware of Adventist beliefs he now embraces.
"We've been married 21 years and I never thought it would happen there," said Esther, smiling through tears of joy. She expressed gratitude for the faithful Pathfinder Club leadership of Lynette and Steven Clement for the spiritual direction of their club. 
Kristy Warrick was equally surprised. Her son Braden had studied with Pastor Donald Smith, and her husband Bruce had had studies with the pastor earlier. At the Camporee, when their youngest son Braden asked if his dad would like to be baptized with him he replied, "Yes, I would."
"We have been married almost 16 years," Kristy said. "Bruce has come to church with me for 15 of those years. When I could not attend, Bruce would go with the children. I just never expected he would make his decision at the Camporee!
"Pathfindering is about leading young people to Christ," said Wong. "Every year at Pathfinder Convocation, attended by more than 1500 Pathfinders and leaders, up to 100 Pathfinders come forward to request studies for baptism. Many parents are among them."
For a list of Pathfinder Clubs in Southern California Conference, visit http://sccpathfinders.adventistfaith.org/
Photo Captions:
1. (l.to.r.) The Ong Family: Karla, Kim, Mario, Esther, Kevin and Karen; foreground, Kelly Ong Photo by Betty Cooney
2. Pastor Donald Smith prepares to baptize Eagle Rock Pathfinder dad, Bruce Warrick. Photo by Steve Clement