Pathfinder Induction Program

Director:
I hereby declare this Induction Ceremony of the
______________________ Pathfinder Club now in session.

All lights out

Director:
For the light for our program we turn to the Spirit of Pathfindering. The
candle which I now light represents this spirit. It is the spirit of adventure,
fun, learning, camaraderie, awareness, and awakening, and above all, a spirit
of reverence and a Spirit of Service to God and man. This light now
illuminates the Pathfinder insignia, the badge of our organization. This
insignia is rich in symbolism:

(The appropriate item on the Pathfinder triangle to be pointed out as the

following is recited)

Director:
Red stands for sacrifice. It reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ. “For God
so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting live.” John 3:16.

Also it reminds us that we are instructed to “Offer your bodies as living

sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” Romans 12:1

Director:
The three sides represent the completeness of the God-head: Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. Also, we are reminded of the balance we must strive for in
our program:
Mental – crafts and honors
Physical – camp outs, work bees
Spiritual – Outreach activities, witnessing

Director:
Gold represents excellence. “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in
the fire so you can become rich.” Revelation 3:18

Gold is also a standard of measurement. The Pathfinder Club has high

standards to help build characters fit for the kingdom of heaven.

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 Director:
The shield represents God, the shield of His people. “Do not be afraid…I
am your shield.” Genesis 15:1

“In addition to this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

Director:
White stands for purity and righteousness. “He who overcomes will, like
them, be dressed in white.” Revelation 3:5

As Pathfinders we desire to have the purity and righteousness of Christ’s

life in our lives.

Director:
Adventist Junior Youth The Pathfinder Club is an organization sponsored
by the Seventh-day Adventist Church for youth in grades five through ten.

Director:
Blue stands for loyalty. It is the purpose of the Pathfinder Club to help
teach us to be loyal to:
Our parents
Our church
Our God in heaven

Director:The Sword
The sword is the symbol of warfare. A battle is always won by offense. We
are in a battle against sin and our weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the
Word of God.

Director:
The Spirit of Pathfindering light is of itself NOT complete or sufficient.
Our AY Classes serve as complementary lights.

Proper candle to be lit from the Spirit of Pathfindering as each of the following
descriptions is recited.

The blue candle represents the Friend class. A course of study in learning
skills and physical fitness that will help one to be a better neighbor now
and a friend to God throughout eternity.

The red candle represents the Companion class. A course of study in

learning skills and physical fitness that will give more meaning to life and a
companionship with Jesus Christ every hour of the day.

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 The green candle represents the Explorer class. A course of study that
will help one to find new adventure in exploring God’s Word and His
created works.

The silver candle represents the Ranger class. A course of study that will
open new areas of discovery in the natural and spiritual worlds to secure
true and genuine happiness.

The purple candle represents the Voyager class. A course of study in

physical, mental, cultural, and spiritual development that challenges the teen
to develop a wholesome self concept and Christian life-style.

The yellow candle represents the Guide class. A course of study that
emphasizes personal growth and spiritual discoveries and prepares the
Pathfinder for development of new skills in leadership and survival
techniques.

Director:
Candidates, you have presented yourselves before those present to
become official members of the _____________________ Pathfinder Club.
Is this your wish now? If it is, please respond by saying “Yes”.

Candidates:
Yes.

Deputy Director:
In this ceremony you will be received into the worldwide fellowship of the
Pathfindering as well as into the ________________________ Pathfinder
Club. Before you stands the Spirit of Pathfindering Candle and its
complementary candles representing the AY classes. As you become
Pathfinders you will learn much more of the Pathfindering Spirit. Every
organization must have a law by which to operate. The law of the
Pathfinder Club is the Pathfinder Law. It is know and followed by
thousands of Pathfinders.You will learn to follow this law too. Listen
carefully as this law and its meaning is recited for you, because you will
soon be asked whether you accept this law as your own.

One candle to be lit as each point of the law is recited.

Candle Lighter:
The Pathfinder Law is for me to –
“Keep the Morning Watch”
Which means I will have prayer and personal Bible Study each day.

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 Candle Lighter:
“Do my honest part”
Which means by the power of God I will help others and do my duty and
my honest share, wherever I may be.

Candle Lighter:
“Care for my body”
Which means I will be temperate in all things and strive to reach a high
standard of physical fitness.

Candle Lighter:
“Keep a level eye”
Which means I will not lie, cheat or deceive, and I will despise dirty talk or
evil thinking.

Candle Lighter:
“Be courteous and obedient”
Which means I will be kind and thoughtful of others, reflecting the love of
Jesus in all my association with others.

Candle Lighter:
“Walk softly in the sanctuary”
Which means that in any devotional exercises I will be quiet, careful and
reverent.

Candle Lighter:
“Keep a song in my heart”
Which means I will be cheerful and happy and let the influence of my life
be as sunshine to others.

Candle Lighter:
“Go on God’s errands”
Which means I will always be ready to share my faith and go about doing
good as did Jesus.

Deputy Director:
You have heard the eight points of the Pathfinder Law and their meanings.
Do you accept this law as a Pathfinder and do you now promise to do
your best to live by this law? If you do, please respond by saying “I do”.

Candidates:
I do.

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Deputy Director:
Pathfinders also live by another code; the Pathfinder Pledge. This pledge, or
oath, describes our duties to God and to our fellow man. Listen now to
this pledge and its meaning.You will be asked to make this promise publicly.

One candle to be lit as each point of the pledge is recited.

Candle Lighter:
“By the grace of God”
Which means only as I rely on God to help me can I do His will.

Candle Lighter:
“I will be pure”
Which means I will rise above the wicked world in which I live and keep
my life clean with words and actions that will make others happy.

Candle Lighter:
“I will be kind”
Which means I will be considerate and kind not only to my fellow man but
also to all of God’s creation.

Candle Lighter:
“I will be true”
Which means I will be honest and upright in study, work and play and can
always be counted on to do my very best.

Candle Lighter:
“I will keep the Pathfinder Law”
Which means I will seek to understand the meaning of the Pathfinder Law
and will strive to live up to its spirit, realizing that obedience to law is
essential in any organization.

Candle Lighter:
“I will be a servant of God”
Which means I pledge myself to serve God first, last and best in everything
I am called upon to be or to do.

Candle Lighter:
“I will be a friend to man”
Which means I will live to bless others and to do unto them as I would
have them do unto me.

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 Deputy Director:
You have heard the Pathfinder Pledge and its meaning. Do you now pledge
yourself to follow this pledge? If you do, please respond by saying “I do”.

Candidates:
I do

Deputy Director:
I hereby present these candidates for induction into the
_____________________ Pathfinder Club and into the fellowship of
Pathfindering around the world based on their public affirmation of their
willingness to follow the Pathfinder Law and the Pathfinder Pledge.

Director:
On behalf of Pathfinder Clubs around the world I accept your vow to
observe the Pathfinder Law and to live by the Pathfinder Pledge.

We began in almost total darkness. Now the light of these candles, we can
see on another quite well. So it is that the Spirit of Pathfindering lights our
steps.

I now direct your attention to the flag of our country. As Pathfinders we

have special feelings about this flag. We learn what it means. We learn to
take care of it. We love and honor the nation it represents. I ask all of you
who are American citizens to now face the flag and pledge your allegiance
to it.

Candidates:
(Recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag)

Director:
Candidates, as your name is called, please step forward to light your
candle from the Spirit of Pathfindering candle to signify your full
membership in the ____________________ Pathfinder Club. I charge you
before all these present to let your light shine before others in the Spirit
of Pathfindering.

Prayer of Consecration.

(After prayer, all sing “We Are His Hands”)

(This induction program was shared by the Georgia-Cumberland Pathfinders)

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