Berean Crusaders Pathfinders Serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

BY Aminga bracy

Color guards, front row: Michael Smith (left), Marilyn Shaw, Aminga Bracy, and Marvin Bracy. Back row: Reuben Spann (left), Jolee St. Victor, Kamiliyah Griggs, Jasmine Gardner, Rebekah Shaw, Rachel Edd, Michael Coffee, Mikhail Bracy, Lia Sanchez, Nkosi Constant, Benjamin Edd, Kyla King, Aminah Daniels, and Ashton Smith.

Alicia Alexander

WRXL Radio interview with TLT Mikhail Bracy, Michael Coffee, and Lia Sanchez

Aminga Bracy

Berean Crusaders jump rope team includes Isabel Adams (left); Leah Hall; Tundra, security guard; Sophia LaDonis; Gabrielle LaDonis; Avionne Hall; and Jolee St. Victor.

Aminga Bracy

The Berean Crusaders Pathfinder Club meaningfully celebrated Martin Luther King Jr., Ph.D., holiday by serving their community and representing God and their church and club in unprecedented ways. Members of Berean Church in Atlanta, Ga., and Sherwin Jack, Ph.D., senior pastor, were present.

On one end of the city, the jump rope team performed for more than 4,000 runners at the 2019 MLK 5K Drum Run in 28-degree weather at Piedmont Park. The jump rope team consists of 15 Pathfinders and staff. In the words of their coordinator and coach, Master Guide Maime Pruitt, “WE ARE TROOPERS representing what our motto is: Fun, Fitness, and Fellowship.”

At the other end of the city, the color guards were afforded the high honor of posting flags for King’s annual commemorative services at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. As members of the congregation concluded singing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the church’s doors swung open to the command, “Pathfinders, forward march!” by King Center representative and Master Guide Darrel Palmes.

Following the command, the color guards marched down the aisles into the sanctuary with the American flag leading front and center. The Christian and Pathfinder flags followed closely at quarter step intervals behind. The color guards were accompanied by a team of Master Guides, who marched closely behind. From the far left and right aisles, 12 Pathfinders marched alongside them carrying the national flags, while two Master Guides remained behind to assist them.

Without commands, the Crusaders halted after the American, Christian, and Pathfinder flags took their rightful places and concurrently executed “Present arms!” They remained in this position until “America the Beautiful” was sung and a spirited saxophonist’s rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” echoed throughout the edifice. Berean’s color guards then executed the “Order arms!” command and exited the sanctuary to a rousing applause before the audience took their seats.

In so doing, members of the Berean Crusaders Pathfinder Club seized this opportunity to bear witness and lighten their world. Three Pathfinders demonstrated their readiness to witness during an interview with WRXL FM 102 radio. The club’s director, Michael Smith, Ph.D., was interviewed and stated, “The Pathfinders were great. We are truly proud.”

The cause of Christ was well represented by the Pathfinders. Both the jump rope team and color guards echoed the Great Commission, and fulfilled the Pathfinder Aim. Color guard coordinator, Master Guide Marvin Bracy, said, “Berean Crusaders Pathfinders were willing and ready. They represented the club well, answered the Great Commission’s call, and fulfilled their Pathfinder Aim, ‘The Advent message to all the world in my generation.’”

Positive feedback worldwide was portrayed on social media from Canada, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. One British spectator described it well by stating, “Finials gleaming on top of the poles, correct alphabetical placement of the national flags: PERFECT!”

To view the Pathfinders presentation, visit https://youtu.be/NwxjSki2Ev4.

South Atlantic | March 2019