SANDY BAY, HANOVER —
As Seventh-day Adventist churches around the world observed World Pathfinder Day under the 2026 theme, “Speak Lord,” the Precious Jewels Pathfinder Club of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Sandy Bay, also celebrated more than 40 years of ministry to children and young people.
Pathfinder ministry at Sandy Bay dates back to the 1970s under the direction of Fitzroy Seaton. The club later became less active, but received new life in the early 1980s when Mr. Cleveland Furze took up the challenge of rebuilding the ministry.
The club received another significant boost following an evangelistic campaign conducted in 1983 by Pastor Alonzo Smith. Several young people who became members of the church through the campaign later joined the Pathfinder Club, helping to strengthen its membership.
As the club continued to grow, members began considering a name. According to the club’s history, Audrey Taggan, a then member of the Guide class, looked around at the children and teenagers and suggested, “Why don’t we call our club the Precious Jewels Pathfinder Club of Sandy Bay?”
The suggestion was unanimously accepted, and Precious Jewels Pathfinder Club became its official name.
The 1980s and early 1990s were remembered as strong years for the club, with young people eagerly looking forward to weekly Sunday meetings. Through the ministry, members developed friendships and were given opportunities to grow socially, emotionally and spiritually.
Cleveland Furze said his motivation to continue serving comes from his love for Christ and a commitment to soul winning.
“The love of Christ compels me. The most important thing is soul winning.”
He also shared that the club’s band has become one of its main tools for reaching young people in the community.
“We use our club band to win souls. We go into the community and engage the young people and teach them to play the instruments, and gradually they also get drafted into the club.”
For Furze, this approach reflects a broader need for the church to take its ministry beyond its walls.
“We love giving back. We are involved in many outreach programmes. I believe that we stay too long in the walls of the church, and there are many out there who need to hear about Christ. So we found a way to bring the gospel to them.”
With fewer young people in the church, Furze said he hopes members will work together and use their abilities to connect with the younger generation.
“The population of young people is declining in the church, and I’m hoping that we can work together to use our talents and gifts to inspire the younger generation around us.”
Currently the Precious Jewels Pathfinder Club has approximately 80 active members, comprising Pathfinders, Master Guides and Adventurers.