In the heart of Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Seventh Day Adventist Church was buzzing with excitement as the annual Robotics Competition approached. This year, the Steam Machines, a spirited group of sixth graders, were ready to showcase their skills and celebrate their faith through technology and teamwork. The team consisted of three friends: Asher, Justus, and Victor, along with three other enthusiastic classmates who shared their passion for robotics.

Asher, the team’s leader, gathered his friends for a planning meeting. “Let’s make the Robotics Competition not just about robots, but a celebration of our friendships and faith! We can include activities that reflect our Adventist values, like sharing testimonies and enjoying fellowship!”

Justus, the creative mind of the group, suggested, “We can have a booth where people can learn about how technology can be used for good, and we can even share stories about how God has guided us in our projects!”

Victor, the enthusiastic builder, chimed in, “And we can set up a mini-competition where teams can compete in fun robot challenges!”

Excited by their ideas, the Steam Machines got to work. They spent weeks preparing for the event, designing their robots and organizing the competition details. The team worked diligently, with each member contributing their unique skills.

On the day of the Robotics Competition, the church was transformed into a vibrant arena filled with colorful banners and displays of technology. Families arrived, eager to see the creations and participate in the festivities.

As the competition began, Asher took the stage to welcome everyone. “Welcome to our Robotics Competition! Today, we celebrate the creativity and talents that God has given us!”

The crowd cheered, and the challenges kicked off. Teams from the church showcased their robots, navigating obstacle courses and completing tasks designed to test their engineering skills. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and friendly competition.

In between the challenges, the Steam Machines hosted a special moment where participants could share their experiences. Justus encouraged everyone, saying, “Let’s take a moment to reflect on how our faith has inspired our projects. God has given us the ability to create and innovate!”

As the day progressed, Victor noticed a group of newcomers standing shyly at the edge of the crowd. He approached them with a warm smile. “Hi there! I’m Victor from the Steam Machines. Welcome to our Robotics Competition! Have you seen our robots in action?”

The newcomers smiled back, and soon they were cheering and joining in the fun as they learned about robotics and faith together. The Steam Machines felt a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing that the competition was not just about technology, but about building connections and nurturing friendships in the spirit of Christ.

As the day came to a close, everyone gathered for a final prayer led by Asher. “Let’s thank God for our talents, our friendships, and the opportunity to learn and grow together,” he said, leading a heartfelt prayer that resonated with everyone present.

From that day on, the Spartanburg Seventh Day Adventist Church continued to host the Robotics Competition each year, a cherished tradition that reminded everyone of the importance of love, friendship, and faith in their lives, all while knowing that Jesus is our real friend.