“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14, NIV).
With this goal in mind, the Grand Rapids Maranatha Spanish Church has been putting time, money, and effort into growing their Pathfinder club: The Maranatha Lakers.
The club was initiated around 1991 but has experienced substantial growth in the past two years. In February 2025, the church began a Master Guide Club after several members completed the required training. This addition rounded out the church’s program which was already composed of both a Pathfinder Club and an Adventurer Club. Currently, over 50 children, as well as numerous youth and adults, are involved in these ministries.
The Maranatha Lakers practice drills, learn life skills, study the Bible, and participate in trips and outings. Maranatha pastor Richar Pérez says, “We are doing more practical things besides the honors. We try to use all the information they get from the [instruction] books…to participate in all the church activities.” In addition to the honors, uniforms, and knowledge, Pathfinders is about building a community and learning how to serve God and others. And that is exactly what is happening through Maranatha Spanish Church’s program.
One of the main ways that Pastor Perez has been seeking to engage the children in applying what they learn is through preaching. He teaches the Pathfinders and Adventurers how to preach in a way that they can understand and practice. The children then preach during Wednesday night prayer meetings as well as on some Sabbath mornings. These opportunities help them feel more closely connected to their church and gain hands-on experience in sharing God’s Word. What adds to this beautiful outcome is the way the children interact with and impact one another.
Pastor Perez shares, “These kids inspire other kids and they are coming and [asking], ‘Pastor, I want to preach. How can I do it? Will you teach me?’” It’s a powerful cycle of encouragement. These children are already so excited to spend time together and share Jesus with others that they are motivating one another to learn how to speak about Him.
Time spent together is one key factor in building this kind of community. Over the past year, the Maranatha Lakers built lasting friendships through shared experiences and accomplishments. The many hours they spent practicing their drilling and marching skills were just one example, requiring teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. The children were diligent in putting extra time into this activity, and their practice paid off when, on May 17 at Camp Au Sable, the Maranatha Lakers won first place during the Pathfinder fair. They didn’t just place first—they scored a perfect 100/100. The win demonstrated how well the group had learned to work together as a team.
The group also enjoyed many memorable experiences throughout the year. One that stood out to Pathfinder director Elena Zarate took place during an outdoor campout, where the Pathfinders found themselves drawn closer to both God and one another. Reflecting on that weekend, Zarate said, “What I loved most was when they were lying on the snow and some of them felt the Spirit of God on them. It felt like being in heaven. I love that they were able to experience that.”
These shared moments provide a small glimpse into how God is blessing the efforts of the Maranatha Spanish Church as they seek to share the joy of living life in God’s love. These experiences have brought all the members of the clubs closer together as a community and have made them even more effective witnesses.
Whether you know it as “Soy Conquistador fuerte y fiel, un siervo de Dios yo soy,” or “Oh, we are the Pathfinders strong, the servants of God are we. . .” the message is still the same: “We are children of God, and we want to serve Him!” The goal of these programs is not just for individuals to identify themselves as a Pathfinder, Adventurer, or Master Guide, but as children of God on a mission to share Him with others.
Georgia Schulze is a member of the Cadillac SDA Church. She is currently studying Theology and Social Work at Andrews University.
