“Question 90, fill in the blanks, for eight points ...” 

The Kellogg Arena fell silent as Pathfinders tackled the final question at the 2025 NAD Pathfinder Bible Experience. Then, the room erupted into cheers as they completed Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) — a tangible reminder that “nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God."

From April 25 to 26, more than 3,000 Pathfinders, supporters, and volunteers packed the arena in historic Battle Creek, Michigan, for a weekend of worship, Bible knowledge testing, and celebration. And on Sabbath, April 26, 185 teams — the second highest number ever — gathered in person from across North America and beyond. Four teams joined virtually.

More than 12,000 viewers tuned in as livestream hosts Denison Sager (Iowa-Missouri Conference) and Eric Chavez (Texico Conference) interviewed Pathfinders and leaders on the NAD Club Ministries YouTube channel amid the action.

“We’re excited because [PBE] is a recognition of their knowledge of the Bible, specifically the books of Romans and First Corinthians. For them to know the Bible is what we strive for,” said Armando Miranda, Youth and Young Adult Ministries associate director and Club Ministries director for the North American Division.

Four-Step Journey and Spiritual Building Block

Since 2012, the journey to the PBE division finals has followed a four-step process. Teams of up to six Pathfinders, chosen by their clubs, begin in their local districts after months of Bible study and memorization. Those scoring within 90 percent of the top score advance from the conference to the union, and finally, to the division level. 

In 2025, all nine North American unions were represented, along with virtual teams from Australia and Cuba, and in-person and virtual teams from the United Kingdom. Testing was conducted in English, French, and Spanish, with teams earning between one to eight points per question based on difficulty. One hundred seventy-nine teams scored within 90 percent of the highest score and were awarded first place.

But PBE is much more than a competition. For many, including first-time participant Amy Nelson, a Pathfinder from Chattanooga, Tennessee, it is a spiritual building block. “Before PBE, I didn't memorize the Bible much, but now that I’ve been part of it, I’m getting excited about Bible memorization, and I’m going to memorize more and more,” said Nelson.

Kailah Hayes, a former team captain turned coach from Palm Coast, Florida, would concur. “Starting off early in PBE allowed me to really get into [Scripture] and digest what I’d been memorizing and apply it to my life,” she said. 

Now, Hayes finds joy in nurturing the next generation. “I like being able to help younger kids who are where I was a couple of years ago. I have such a love for them, and I’m so excited to see how they do.” 

Fostering Community Across Oceans

When asked what they loved most about PBE, many Pathfinders highlighted the lasting bonds formed with their teammates and others. Long after the competition ends, the friendships forged through months of study, competition, and travel remain. 

“My favorite thing is just being with everyone. I realized during the actual competition that the people I’m with made it fun,” said Chelsea Nwakanma, a Pathfinder from Houston, Texas. Reflecting on reaching the finals, she added, “We all realized, we’re already in Michigan, already at the final round. We don’t have anything to lose. So, let’s have fun with it. And we did.”

Her teammate Malachi Gichana added that he appreciated “having the chance to travel, make new friends, and interact with people who don’t reside in the same state as you. It’s nice coming and communicating with others.” 

The sense of being part of a tight-knit Pathfinder family extended across oceans. “It was really amazing — just being surrounded by this many Pathfinders and Seventh-day Adventists, [connecting] with people who all have a common interest in learning about God and doing PBE,” said Joshua Catibog of the Irish Mission.

PBE Reminds Participants to Stay Rooted in Christ

Worship was at the heart of PBE, beginning with a Friday evening vespers and culminating in a Sabbath afternoon worship after testing. Messages from Earl Baldwin Jr., Lake Region Conference Youth director, and Rahel Wells, Andrews University Old Testament professor, focused on the blessings of being rooted in God and His Word.

“Bible memorization is the foundation to build your faith,” said Baldwin. “It’s a lifeline [that] unlocks our understanding of God.” He continued, “Don’t let your Bibles collect dust after this weekend. Set your roots deep, so when the drought comes, you can tap into the source.” 

On Sabbath, Wells shared her testimony of holding on to faith through injury, illness, and heartbreak, affirming that “God takes the scars and the wounds and the painful things of our lives, and He makes good out of them.”

Several Pathfinders responded to Baldwin’s altar call on Friday, committing to be transformed by the Word. On Sabbath, those feeling called to ministry came forward after a special invitation from Gerardo Oudri, associate director for resources with the NAD Ministerial Association. Oudri also represented his ministry and its NextGen ministry initiative as one of several exhibitors in the arena’s atrium.

Reflecting on the event’s spiritual influence, Gene Clapp, NAD PBE coordinator, shared, “As young people see more of God’s leading through the Scriptures, … it’s making a difference in their lives. They want to be baptized and follow Jesus Christ all the way.”

Notably, that influence is global. Levon Johns, senior area coordinator for the North England Conference — which sends participants to both the NAD PBE and the Trans-European Division PBE finals — shared, “In the last 18 months, we’ve had more than 200 Pathfinder baptisms in our conference.” He estimated that “95 percent are related to PBE.”

Celebrating the Journey

The 2025 PBE culminated in an awards ceremony, as teams received their certificates with cheers, fist bumps, and high fives. Among the most satisfying wins was that of the Nepean Crusaders, a team from Ontario, near Ottawa, Canada. The team suffered a huge blow when immigration issues prevented their team captain — and lead scorer — from coming to the finals. 

However, the team rallied, prayed, strategized, and eventually earned first prize. “Today, we felt like we had a new captain, and that captain was Jesus,” said Suko Ncube, a coach and parent. 

The joy of victory echoed throughout the Kellogg Arena. “Getting first place, after studying so hard, was an amazing feeling,” said Catibog, smiling.

In his closing prayer, Miranda lauded the Pathfinders for their exceptional achievement. “They have been rewarded not only with a certificate, but they have been rewarded with Your Word,” he affirmed.

It Takes a Village

It takes a village to run a successful PBE. Coaches, church members, parents, NAD staff, volunteers, higher education institutions, and several Teen Leadership Training (TLT) students played a vital role in making this year’s event possible. 

“TLTs are amazing,” said Tracy Wood, NAD Youth and Young Adult Ministries director. “The impact they have on junior Pathfinders is phenomenal. They don’t realize it, but they also influence us older generation leaders.”

Additionally, a record nine exhibitors participated in this year's PBE. These included the NAD Office of Volunteer Ministries, Adventist Camps, and Ministerial Association, as well as the Lake Union Herald and five Adventist universities: Andrews University, Walla Walla University, Southwestern Adventist University, Southern Adventist University, and AdventHealth University. These exhibits connected Pathfinders and their families with future opportunities for education, service, and ministry. 

NAD Youth and Young Adult Ministries associate director Vandeon Griffin also emphasized the power of teamwork and alignment: “It takes all of us together as one team working toward one goal: to make sure our Pathfinders study the Word of God, hide it in their heart, that they may not sin against God.”

Miranda reflected on why the team pours so much into PBE year after year. “Imagine that these Pathfinders are facing a hard challenge in the future,” he said. “They are discouraged, but these words that are in their hearts resurface and start becoming a reality in their lives. [For example], there are so many beautiful verses in Romans and 1 Corinthians . . . verses like:

‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1);
‘Love is patient, love is kind...’ (1 Corinthians 13:4); [and]
‘Nothing can separate us from the love of God’ (Romans 8:39).

This is the purpose of PBE,” Miranda concluded. “We hope that its impact lasts until Jesus comes.”

What’s next: Plans are underway for PBE 2026 in Greeley, Colorado, next April, focusing on Isaiah. Visit https://nadpbe.org/ for updates.

*While in Battle Creek, many Pathfinders and supporters visited the Historic Adventist Village, where restored buildings and homes tell the story of the early Seventh-day Adventist Church and its pioneers, including Ellen and James White.