Sixty-four Years and Counting

MESQUITE, TEX. – On April 26, he Mesquite Seventh-day Adventist Church Pathfinder and Master Guide Clubs and the Terrell Adventurer Club surprised Robert (Bob) Turner with a dinner to honor his 64th year in Pathfinder ministry. As the title indicates, Turner is not done yet. He still looks forward to God’s continued blessings. He took a few minutes to reflect on his 64 years.

Sixty-four years ago, Turner was an airman in the U.S. Air Force. As a youngster, he had been a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout, and during his high school years, he was in the ROTC, so drilling and marching came naturally to him. In addition, his mother, the youth leader at a Baptist church, had appointed him junior youth leader.

While in the military, he learned about the Sabbath. Looking for a Sabbath-keeping church, he found the Allon Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lincoln, Neb. The church’s Pathfinder director asked Turner if he would teach the Allon Chapel Pathfinder Club how to drill and march. A year later, he became the Pathfinder director, taking his small Pathfinder club to camporees, youth congresses and many youth events, something they had not done previously. The club members worked hard and won first place in camporee events, especially drilling and marching. 

Following a move to Texas, Turner continued assisting in Pathfinder ministry, joining the Medical Cadet Corps as an area commander, then state commander, then conference executive commander. During that time, he became a Master Guide. At the Mesquite church, Turner became the leader for Ambassador Ministries, the Pathfinder Club and the Master Guide Club, tapping the energy of the youth and their enthusiasm to serve.

Turner feels that his many years of service are because of where the Lord has placed him, which allows him to follow his desire to see the youth of today become the leaders of tomorrow.

You can find Turner’s full story online at TexasAdventist.org/Bob-Turner.

By Bob Turner