Journey to Joy Series and Pathfinder Ministry Unite to Baptize Thirteen Youth
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The inaugural cohort of pathfinders from the church stands proudly in uniform, as they receive their vows before being baptized as members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Among them are Pathfinder Director Divenny Corra, Youth Director of the North Caribbean Conference Pastor Leriano Webster and Pastor of the church, Marcos Salas. Thus far, thirteen pathfinders have joyfully dedicated their lives to Jesus through baptism. Photo credit: Rickard Dorsey.
As the Impact ’24 - Your Journey to Joy series morphed and added value to the St. Croix community, the Sunny Acres center emerged as the youth evangelistic hub for native Spanish speakers. This series was a partnership between the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (GC) and the North Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (NCC). The Sunny Acres center was one of four sites on St. Croix where the evangelistic component of the series was hosted. At this center, the youth-oriented presentations were done by Pastor Luis Soto who is from the Dominican Republic and currently ministers in the United States.
It may be difficult to chronicle the entire story which led to a baptism of several young people on Monday, April 8, and Sabbath, April 13, 2024, at the center. Suffice it to say that two years of devoted ministry in predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhoods impressed the love of God on scores of families. Their children attended the weekly Sabbath services, participated in youth ministry activities, and some were moved by the Holy Spirit to inquire about baptism.
Here's what the church looks like on Sabbath morning when the children arrive for the service. Up to forty-five of them assemble every Sabbath for worship. On April 13, 2024, they were all in uniform to witness the baptism of their peers. Photo by CARU Media
Monday evening’s baptism, April 8, 2024, was organized to accommodate non-Adventist families who were not available on the previous Sabbath. The center had been transformed into an inviting setting by the time church members and several families arrived to support the youths’ decision to accept Jesus through baptism. Attendees included Pastor Desmond James, NCC President, and Pastor Leriano Webster, NCC Youth Director. Pastor Marcos Salas, pastor of the Sunny Acres Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, and his wife joined the praise team to lead several inspiring songs.
Pastor Salas addressed attendees, “We are very happy. Thank you for having set aside this special time in your life. For two years we have been working every Saturday and on other days so that this very special moment would arrive when the first adolescents of the ministry called Operation Eagle Eye, would take their stand for Jesus. We had to wait on them and see what the Lord would do. We prayed. Today, they are going to give their hearts to Jesus. We have already spoken with their parents and the parents agree – that is why they are here.”
This intentional youth ministry was accomplished through the leadership of Sister Gori. Each week, she would take the youth to church and return them to their homes. The local congregation placed its full support behind the program which allowed the young people to become involved in the life of the church while they contemplated baptism.
The church's drum band is ready to escort the pathfinders to into the church for the baptismal service. Youth Director for the Conference Pastor Leriano Webster accompanied them into the church. Image by Kenneth Serrant
Pastor Soto’s presentation impressed the hearts of several youth. He said, “When I gave my life to God, I was just 12 years old. And today, I serve God not only as a preacher, but as a youth pastor, youth leader, and an administrator in the Church. God is using me as an instrument to carry His Word. He can do the same for all of us. Indeed, God is changing the face of the Adventist Church on St. Croix, through the Pathfinder ministry. This baptism will mark a historic first for the church and is a reflection of a strong focus on mission and spiritual growth in the church.” At the end of Monday evening’s invigorating presentation, Pastor Soto appealed to attendees. He concluded with questions, “On this night would you like to be among the saved when Jesus comes? How many would like to be baptized and be part of the church?”
Eight uniformed Pathfinders responded to the appeal. As the precision of ceremonial beats, delivered by the Sunny Acres SDA Drum Corps, reverberated through the center, they were ushered to the front to take baptismal vows and be voted as members, pending baptism.
A short pinning ceremony ensued. Pastor Salas invited Pastor Webster, Mrs. Salas, and Sister Cory Baires to join him and secure a baptismal pin on the shirt of each candidate. “It is a privilege to have this pin,” said Pastor Salas. “There are many Pathfinders who do not have it because they have not yet been baptized in the Adventist Church. It is God’s purpose that you keep this.” He thanked Sister Gori for all she had done to assist the youth. Several church members were visibly moved when the Pathfinders were voted into membership. As each Pathfinder headed toward the baptismal pool, uniformed youth ministry personnel saluted, attendees applauded vigorously, and joyful family members gathered close to take pictures and videos.
Pastor Luis Soto, from the Dominican Republic but currently serving in the U.S., is the guest speaker at the Sunny Acres where the campaign is held. Here he encourages congregants toe embrace the love of God as he reads bible text from the screen. Image by Richard Dorsey.
Marlenny De Jesus was sitting close to her son and daughter, who were ready for baptism. When asked how she was feeling, she responded, “Very emotional and happy. We came once to visit the church and we stayed here. One day, our son came to the house asking us if he could be baptized and we said yes. He was responding to the invitation in the sermon while attending the series. His older sister asked the same question. We told them that this is a very important step in their lives, and they have to take it seriously. They have been attending the church for the last two years and knowing that my children are baptized is a pleasure that fills me with joy and peace.”
Before the deeply moving service ended, Pastor Salas urged families to respond to the appeal from Pastor Soto and some expressed an eagerness to set their baptismal dates. He was delighted that they had accepted the message of salvation – he shared the week’s baptismal schedule and encouraged others to be prepared. As of now thirteen young pathfinders have already been baptized as members of the church.
Marlene's family rejoices in the baptism of their two children, Francis and Ami. When Francis made the decision to dedicate his life to Jesus through baptism, the family provided unwavering support, facilitating his journey of faith. Now, they are filled with joy as they witness Ami taking her stand for God. Photo by Richard Dorsey
Some objectives of the Pathfinder ministry are to help pre-teens and teens strengthen their faith in Jesus, learn more about the Adventist Church, and eventually decide to become members through baptism. The age-specific Pathfinder curriculum covers arts and crafts, aquatics, nature, spiritual development, health, recreation, household arts, and vocational training. The ministry includes integral learning, guides teens toward the Kingdom of Heaven, and welcomes children from all families.
The Sunny Acres SDA Church purchased the uniforms for all baptismal candidates and the equipment to engage youth in the drum corps band. The success of youth ministry at the Sunny Acres SDA Church also indicates that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is alive and well, and that God still has ample untapped resources among members. When intentional ministry is executed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, human effort glorifies God and endeavors are crowned with heavenly blessings.