In the bustling heart of Bradford, the UK’s newest City of Culture in 2025, Adventurers and Pathfinders were on a mission. The annual Adventurer and Pathfinder Bible Experience (ABE and PBE) began with the Area Level testing on Sabbath 11th January 2025. A total of 12 ABE and 19 PBE teams participated.
The unpleasantly cold weather blanketed Bradford in snow, leading to the closure of nearly 150 schools in the week leading up to the testing. Despite this, excitement filled the air. The headmaster of Hanson Academy, Mr Sam Sheedy, along with volunteers, cleared snow and ice from the premises, footpaths, and roads to ensure the school remained open. The cold, freezing, snowy morning was the epitome of a harsh British winter, yet these conditions did not dampen the spirits of the young Adventurers and Pathfinders of Area 3.
Participants, their families, and friends hurried in, their excitement blending with the vibrancy of the city. Registration was seamless, and the event began promptly with worship in song, led by Pathfinders from the Doncaster and Bradford clubs.
When it was time for the testing, the grand auditorium—adorned with vibrant banners and filled with children in their colourful uniforms—buzzed with anticipation. Butterflies filled the stomachs of the young participants, eager to showcase their knowledge. As the quizmaster, York Seventh-day Adventist Church minister, Pastor Fredrick Nti-Mensah, took the stage, confidence surged among the teams. The quiz, comprising forty-four questions, covered the ABE study chapters of Romans (chapters 8–13) and 1 Corinthians (chapters 10–16).
During the lunch break, Adventurers enjoyed refreshments as their Pathfinder peers arrived for the afternoon session. The PBE testing featured ninety questions on the entirety of Romans and 1 Corinthians, alongside abridged notes from the Andrews Bible Commentary. The quizmaster for this session was Area Coordinator Kotto Simtaji from Huddersfield. While awaiting the PBE results, attendees were treated to a Marching and Drill display by the Area 3 team.
Area 3 coordinators, led by Area Coordinator Hyacinth Facey, did a commendable job in organising the event. With the support of Master Guides and Teen Leadership, the venue remained tidy throughout the day. Eight out of the 12 ABE teams and 11 out of the 19 PBE teams advanced to the Conference-level, with Leeds contributing the largest number of PBE teams (five in total).
As teams exited the auditorium, the neon lights of the city seemed to warmly embrace them. The young people knew they would return for the next round, renewed and ready for more adventure at the Conference-level testing. On this day, however, they were joyful. The spirit of friendly competition, hard work, and community filled everyone with hope, like stars lighting up a winter sky.
As we drove home under shimmering lights, we dreamt of the next challenge and the next chapter in this beautiful journey of faith and friendship. This year’s ABE and PBE Trans-European Division final will take place in Budapest, Hungary, on 12th April 2025.
