By Kemisha Robinson
Some people think getting older means stepping aside but 70 year old Master Guide Cleveland Furze has chosen a different path. He continues to serve God with joy and dedication. At the 2nd Atlantic Caribbean Union Camporee held in the Cayman Islands July 4-12, 2026, Furze leads the drum corps, mentors Pathfinders between the ages of 13 and 16, and pours into the next generation with the same passion he has carried for decades. His life reflects the words he has lived by: “Pathfinder is something you never finish.” Through God’s grace, he continues to show that a heart devoted to Christ never grows too old to serve.
As the drums echoed across the Camporee grounds during the opening ceremony on Sunday, July 5, 2026, all eyes were fixed on Master Guide Cleveland Furze. Short in stature but standing tall with quiet confidence, he raised his hands and gave each command with calm precision. In perfect unison, the Pathfinders responded with discipline, respect, and pride. But when the marching ended, his work was far from over. He walked among the young people with a warm smile, stopping to offer words of encouragement, share stories from years gone by, and gently teach lessons about discipline, respect, and faith. To many of the 13- to 16-year-old Pathfinders, he was more than a leader—he was a mentor, a grandfather figure, and a living reminder that a life spent serving God leaves a lasting mark on every heart it touches.
Reflecting on his many years in Pathfinder Ministry, Furse said, “Pathfinder is something you never finish. As long as God gives me strength, I will continue serving and helping young people grow.” As over 200 Pathfinders gather under the theme Strong Finish, Cleveland Furze reminds everyone that the greatest race is not won by the youngest or the strongest, but by those who remain faithful to the very end. Long after the drums grow quiet and the Camporee comes to a close, the seeds he has planted in young hearts will continue to grow. His kindness, his leadership, and his unwavering faith will live on in the lives of the young people he has inspired. His story reminds every Pathfinder that, with God, faith never retires. It keeps serving, keeps loving, and keeps leading others to Christ. Like Samson, every Pathfinder can trust God, remain faithful, and finish strong.