Orion Pathfinder Club Marching To The Lord’s Beat

On Sabbath, November 6, 2021, the Orion Pathfinder Club of the Albion Seventh-day Adventist Church in St Thomas, dedicated instruments toward the establishment of a fully fitted drum corp.  Youth Ministries Director, EJC, Pastor Brian Shaw commended the visionary leadership and congratulated the accomplishment. In his prayer of dedication, he asked God to consecrate every youth that will be a part of the band, and that souls will be won to Christ through their ministry.

 

For the past 35 years since its conception in 1986, the Albion Seventh-day Adventist church (officially established as a church in 1991), has been making an indelible mark in the Albion community, which is nestled behind Cow Bay along the south coast with the Yallahs River at its eastern border. One area of outstanding service has been in the area of Pathfinder Ministries. The Orion Pathfinder Club provides a safe uplifting space for the holistic development of children and youth.

 

After the dedication ceremony, the Club Director, Sis Ann Lewis, delightfully explained that she had always wanted to expand the services of the club to attract more young people and to cater to the needs of the wider community. Due to there being only one drum corp in Zone 4, it is sometimes difficult to get the band for activities across the parish.

“We will have an increased presence in the community and we can host functions such as flag raising ceremonies to mark civic celebrations including Independence, Emancipation and Heroes Days”, says Director Lewis.

 

This will help to strengthen the bond between the church and the community.

 

Fundraising activities took place in April to June of this year towards purchasing the instruments. While some questioned if fundraising would be successful during a pandemic, the desire to do something different to keep the youth interested and the potential for attracting community youth to Christ was sufficient motivation to march forward. Sis Lewis expressed appreciation to current and former members and friends from Japan, Canada, Panama, USA and Jamaica who made a financial contribution. The pathfinders canvassed church members and the community and the response was favourable. These activities culminated in an online Tea Party and Virtual Concert held on June 6, 2021; and to sweeten the deal, in preparation for the event, guests received goodie bags with snacks and teas.

From left to right: Nariek Cain, Adventurer; Ann Lewis, Club Director; Selisa Brown, Pathfinder; Brian Shaw, Youth Ministries Director, EJC

 

Club members are excited. At present, there are 30 Adventurers and Pathfinders enrolled under the guidance of 10 officers; all are expectant.

 

Fourteen year-old Jannessa Walker said, ‘’Now we don’t have to depend on anyone for support. Hearing the drums will better attract the people, and the band will help young people develop their musical skills. Even if they don’t like anything else about Pathfindering, many will want to join our club.”

 

Jaxen Bygrave, who is only 6 years old added, “I want to learn to play the drums’’.

 

Deputy Club Director and newly appointed Drum Major, Bro Omar Harrison, echoed that ‘’this is a great opportunity for children in the church and the community to participate in something that is constructive and uplifting.’’ He is a former member of the EJC Drum Corp and is happy to share what he has learned with young people.  

 

We are nearing the return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; let us pray for the youth as they join their hearts and hands in making ‘that certain sound’ that will introduce others to God.