Pentecost 2025 is a groundbreaking initiative set in motion by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, designed to rejuvenate the church’s mission and outreach across the United States, Canada and Bermuda. This is inspired by the early church’s Pentecost experience in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to spread the gospel in powerful ways. Similarly, Pentecost 2025 seeks to revitalize the spiritual lives of believers, strengthen local congregations, and empower the church for evangelism through dynamic and collaborative efforts. 

“Pentecost 2025 is an acknowledgment of our need of the latter rain of the Holy Spirit,” says Alex Bryant, NAD President.

At its core, Pentecost 2025 aims to foster a renewed passion for evangelism and outreach within local churches, along with a passion for the principle elements of personal spiritual growth, community service, and fulfilling the Great Commission. As a part of this vast initiative, Mid-America Union churches and schools hope to witness a spiritual revival that not only touches the hearts of individuals but also ignites a broader movement of transformation in local communities. Churches are engaged in a wide array of activities—prayer, service, outreach and evangelism—that will leave a lasting impact. 

What are churches and schools in Mid-America doing in 2025?

Over 350 churches and schools across our territory are taking creative and bold steps to carry out activities of ministry for Pentecost 2025. These efforts vary depending on the specific needs and contexts of local communities, but there are several key themes that most efforts hold in common across Mid-America. All who applied for funding from the NAD will receive up to $3,000 to assist with their plans of outreach and ministry.

  1. Prayer and Spiritual Revival

The heartbeat of Pentecost 2025 is a call to prayer and spiritual renewal, and perhaps you participated in the 10 Days of Prayer initiative in January. Local churches have been hosting special prayer vigils, revival meetings, and prayer walks, inviting the Holy Spirit to move powerfully within their congregations and communities. Prayer teams will continue to intercede for revival and a harvest of souls throughout 2025 and beyond. Some churches have activated “Pentecost Prayer Chains,” where groups commit to praying at specific times of the day for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In addition to corporate prayer, other activities to boost personal revival are receiving focus, including Bible study groups, small gatherings, and spiritual retreats. These Spirit-led gatherings can help church members reconnect with their faith, deepen their relationship with God, and become more intentional about sharing the gospel with others.

  1. Community Outreach and Service Projects

Another key aspect of Pentecost 2025 is community engagement. Local churches are called to identify tangible needs in their neighborhoods and respond with compassion and action. Examples of this include hosting free health clinics, providing meals for the homeless, organizing youth mentorship programs, or offering financial literacy workshops. By showing Christ’s love in practical ways, churches will not only serve the physical needs of their communities but will also create opportunities for spiritual conversations and connections. 

Churches are working in partnership with local social service agencies to address issues like homelessness, addiction recovery, mental health, and unemployment. One Colorado church is caring for the mental health of their community by offering classes entitled “MindFit,” a product of Voice of Prophecy. Other initiatives include organizing community clean-up events and other “intentional acts of kindness and service” as described by Eduardo Jacobo, Hispanic coordinator in the Minnesota Conference. The overarching goal is to foster a deep sense of belonging and care within the community, creating an environment where individuals can experience the transformative love of Jesus.

  1. Evangelistic Campaigns and Media Outreach

A significant focus of Pentecost 2025 is the empowerment of church members for evangelism. Local congregations, equipped with an array of tools and resources to carry out effective outreach efforts, are hosting evangelistic series, where church leaders and members invite their neighbors and coworkers to explore the Bible. Many Mid-America churches are opting for traditional in-person meetings, while others are focusing more on their online platforms, social media, and digital evangelism to reach a broader audience.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to evangelism and outreach. Some churches are partnering together to host large-scale evangelistic events in community auditoriums. Other congregations are organizing door-to-door efforts, distributing literature and inviting people to local worship services. Youth groups and young adults are playing a significant role in creative evangelism, such as through music concerts, talent shows, or online video ministries that speak to contemporary issues. Several of our conference academies have plans for outreach that include the students leading out.

  1. Discipleship and Leadership Development

Pentecost 2025 also emphasizes the importance of discipleship. Many of our churches offer leadership training programs to help members become more effective in their spiritual lives and ministry. These programs focus on developing skills for Bible study, preaching, mentoring and community leadership. Ideally, as churches mobilize for outreach, leaders are equipped to disciple new converts and integrate them into the church’s mission, ensuring a sustainable spiritual growth trajectory.

A Lasting Impact

Pentecost 2025 is not just a one-time event; it’s a launchpad for ongoing transformation across the North American Division. By engaging in this initiative, Mid-Americachurches and schools are not only participating in a significant moment of spiritual revival, but they are laying the groundwork for future generations of Adventists who are passionate about mission and community service.

Just imagine if your local church resembled this beautiful description of Spirit-filled community: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts‬ 2‬:46‬-47‬ NKJV).‬‬‬‬‬‬

As Pentecost 2025 continues to unfold, we pray that we will see a renewed commitment to the mission of the church, resulting in stronger congregations, revitalized members, and a deeper sense of unity in Christ’s global church. This initiative will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the spiritual landscape of North America, inviting many to experience the power of Pentecost once more.

Craig Carr is the Mid-America Union Conference ministerial and evangelism director.

 

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