A Marcher Keeps In Step with the Mission of Pathfindering

April 5, 2023 | Trelawny, Jamaica | Ruth-Ann Brown and Inter-American Division News

From the age of 3, Meshach Williams discovered his steps, moving his feet in sync with the pathfinders and officers he grew up around, his closest example being his mother, Roxan Chance Williams, a drill instructor.

After taking Meshach along with her to a drill display rehearsal for youth Congressoree, an annual youth-focused event in Kingston, Jamaica, she witnessed the unexpected.

“One of my directors told him to fall in on the parade and I thought she was making a joke,” said Williams.

While she stood in position, she heard an uproar at the end of the line as persons remarked with amazement as to the moves Meshach, aged 4 at the time, was making. He never missed a practice from then on, attending events alongside his mother in the Pathfinder Club. Meshach has since then attended various camporees, including being the only Adventurer at his conference at the Finish Faithful Atlantic Union Pathfinder Camporee in the United States, in 2016.

During last night’s opening ceremony of the 5th Inter American Division Pathfinder Camporee in Jamaica, Meshach, now 13 years old, participated in the drill and march display carrying a flag in the color party. He marched alongside other pathfinders and Master Guides from his conference including Joel Jumpp, his youth ministries director.

Jumpp has been impressed with Meshach saying, “He’s a fine young man, he has a passion for the work. Everywhere we go, he’s on target. Sometimes we wonder if he can manage the flag, because the flag is taller than him, but that doesn’t stop him, little but he can do great things.”

Young Meshach finds real joy in the Pathfinder Club, “You get to witness and share the Word of God with people and show your skills, said Meshach.” When asked why his love for drill and march, he said, “You get to have fun, do fancy drills and nice moves”.

Meshach who is now in the Ranger class is looking forward to doing the Master Guide and Drill Instructor course. In the meantime, he also serves as a child preacher with the Adventist Laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI) Mission 2000 & Beyond Jamaica Chapter and has hopes to travel to “Impact Colombia” this summer.

Meshach and his mother Roxan are two of the more than 1,100 delegates of pathfinders from the East Jamaica Conference, one of the five conferences in the Jamaica Union, hosts of this year’s camporee.