46 Columbia Union Pathfinder Bible Experience Teams Place First

Story by V. Michelle Bernard, Photos by Kylie Kajiura

On March 14, 62 Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) teams participated in the Columbia Union Conference PBE event at Tranquility Camp in Andover, N.J.

During the Sabbath morning testing event that focused on Isaiah, chapters 1 through 33, 46 of those teams placed first and will be moving on to the North American Division (NAD) level event, April 17 and 18 in Hawthorne, Fla. 

“We're so, so proud that each Pathfinder has invested their time, sacrificing other [potential] activities, to spend time in in God's word, and to memorize scripture to get to know Jesus better,” says Carolina Ramos, event organizer and ministries coordinator for the Columbia Union. “Our goal is to make this moment special for them and to grow their relationship with Jesus.”

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              See the 2026 Columbia Union Pathfinder Bible Experience Placements
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After the testing, a praise team from the New Jersey Conference led the group in worship. Pathfinders from Allegheny East Conference’s Filipino American church in Oxon Hill, Md., provided special music. José L. Vázquez, Columbia Union conference vice president for Ministries Development, preached and was introduced to the Pathfinders for the first time since starting his new role. Drawing on the book of Isaiah, he encouraged the Pathfinders to keep on praying, keep on believing and keep on exalting God. 

During the awards ceremony on Sabbath afternoon, Celeste Ryan Blyden, Columbia Union executive secretary, and Emmanuel Asiedu, treasurer, shared that the union would again be supporting clubs moving on to the NAD event. The union will give each club $1,000 to help with travel expenses.

"Studying the Scriptures has significant impact on the lives of young people," says Asiedu, who is also a parent of two participants. "It has a huge impact because it grounds the them in the church and in our belief system. And, it helps them to draw closer to the Lord. These Pathfinders are our future leaders."