Teen Pathfinders Find a Mission at Home

By: Glenn Perry

On March 27, 2022, 39 teen Pathfinders and staff gathered for the 24th annual Teen Pathfinder Mission Adventure, TPMA. They arrived ready for a week full of community service, worship and fun at the East Wenatchee Valley View Church.

The premise of TPMA, is to show young people there is "a mission field" right outside their door. It also gives pathfinders a mission trip experience despite barriers like cost or being reluctant about traveling far from home.

TPMA began in 1997 under Steve Meharry, and the assistance of Frosty and June Cross. Through the years, TPMA has served UCC Adventist churches and schools and their communities, as well as Camp MiVoden, WWU Rosario Beach Marine station, and Union Gospel Mission Camp.

This years TPMA was lead out by Jared Meharry and other outstanding staff, the teens worked at the East Wenatchee Valley View church assisting in painting the exterior of the church, parking lot markings and curbs. Many of the pathfinders also helped with the landscaping and surprised many church members when cleared overgrowth exposed a rock retaining wall. Some said they didn’t even know a wall was there!

Other projects included building a retaining wall and landscaping at the Abundant Life Church and Cascade Christian Academy. They made it a point to deliver gift baskets to members who lost spouses due to Covid or other illnesses. The group also spent time removing trash along the Columbia River Bank which was featured on the front page of the local Wenatchee World newspaper!

We have also found that while these teens and their staff members accomplish an amazing amount of work within the week, the real "mission" is the mentoring, training and spiritual investments that take place.