FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny — More than 100 new converts were baptised during the recently concluded Seventh-day Adventists’ Pathfinders Camporee, just one of the reasons the fifth staging of the international event has been hailed as a huge success. Jamaica was the host.

“We had over 120 persons decide to serve God and got baptised. That was a great highlight as we had a programme for those that chose to commit their life to God, and the service, and to mission,” Pastor Al Powell, youth ministries director, Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, told journalists during a post-event media briefing last Saturday night.

Hundreds of Pathfinders from more than 52 countries gathered for the event held at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. Organisers are modestly taking a bow for using just seven months to plan the camporee, a process that usually takes years.

“It was a challenge to organise because we switched venues from another country to this one. We engaged immediately and it was a lot of work to get it done in seven months. We normally do this planning three, four years at a time,” said Powell.

“To see how it came together was amazing; to see the teamwork, to see the support of the team. And it was a true success from the angle of regional objectives, from the strategic planning and trying to make sure that the young people have a new vision when they leave here. Many of the persons were excited. They never came to a camporee [before] and they are saying they cannot wait for the next one. And of course they were excited to be in Jamaica because of the warmth and the kindness extended to the Inter-American Division and all of our countries,” he added.

He was careful to stay away from too much self-praise, leaving that task to others.

“I’ve heard it said that this was one of the best camporees. I would not be biased to say this is the best, although we have heard that,” he said of the event that cost millions to stage.

It is an investment that he believes is worthwhile.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in their young people. We are talking about huge investments. We are talking about at least US$1.5 million to get into this camp. That does not include plane fare, that’s just setting up here, a bit of logistics. So if you were to include airfares… 5,000 persons plus ground transportation, you are talking about maybe another US$2 million.”

He added that though they were judicious in their spending, the figure may increase after everything is tallied. They used fund-raising to defray some of the costs, forged partnerships and got donations where possible.

“This is why we appreciate partnerships where if we plan in time we can get good fares, we can get charters, we can cut some expenses,” he said.

Among those who have lauded event organisers is Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

“As you bring the curtains down on what appears to be a very successful camporee, it was our pleasure to have every one of you in Jamaica. I’m sure that not only did the church pull out all the stops to ensure that you had a great time, but the Government through Minister [Olivia] Grange, her team at the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, as well as other agencies and departments,” the governor general said as the curtains came down on the event.

“I wish to commend all campers for attending and participating. This is intended to strengthen your commitment to God, your commitment to His church and His mission. I commend also your leaders who planned and executed this massive programme, your families and the local churches that assisted in your attendance. You have shown great dedication and commitment to your training,” he added.