The Division wide Pathfinder Camporee in the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) had its grand opening ceremony on August 7, 2012,atSahmyook University (SYU), Korea. This is the first Division wide Pathfinder Camporee held in the NSD with almost 4,500 delegates attending from the various pathfinder clubs around the world such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore and the USA.
The six day Camporee began with a colorful inaugural ceremony led by eminent church leaders from the General Conference (GC), the Division, the Union, the Conference, and other church units.
The GC Youth Director, Gilbert R. Cangy, NSD President, Dr. Jairyong Lee, Korean Union Conference (KUC) President, Dr. Kim Dae Sung, NSD Youth Director, Kim, NakHyung, SYU President, Dr. Kim Sang Rae were present along with a host of directors.
The opening ceremony featured the raising of the Pathfinder flag, Camporee flag, Adventurer flag and the marching of the flag bearers.There were also opening announcements, Pathfinder reports and the Pathfinder oath.
2012 NSD Camporee Registraion booth (* Click to view a bigger image)
Camporee Participants registering
Participants from US pitch their tents
Korean Union and Conference Youth directors
2012 NSD Pathfinder Camporee Participants
Camporee Flag Raising
NSD President Dr. Jairyong Lee gives welcome remarks
A Special Musical Performance "Gideon"
The NSD Youth Director, Kim NakHyung gave an opening message with the title “Tidings from the Northeast.” He challenged the participants with the question, “How can we become a proud child of God in this last generation?” He also encouraged the young people to devote themselves to the mission of our church.
Sahmyook University President, Dr. Kim, Sang Rae, welcomed the participants with warm greetings. He stated, “Our university staff have been waiting for all of you with great eagerness and have been preparing so many things. We hope that you may return to your home with so many precious memories.”
The NSD President, Dr. Jairyong Lee, blessed the participants and encouraged them. He said, “I hope you will have a stronger faith through this camporee experience and become proud of yourself as an Adventist member. I also strongly urge each one of you to have a great mission spirit in your heart.”
The GC Youth Director, Gilbert Cangy, commented on the Olympic Games by saying, “This worldly Olympic Games gives only one gold medal for each event of the Games but God gives the gold medal of salvation to anyone of us who have faith. I pray that there will be a blessing of latter rain.”
This historical Pathfinder Camporee will continue for six days until August 12 on the Sahmyook University Campus.