Florinda Clark earnestly studies the Word. She became acquainted with the Cedar Grove Church through the Christmas party service act. Photo provided by Winston Taylor
As the calendar has turned the page from December to January, the light has effectively turned green for Pentecost 2025, a comprehensive, all-hands-on-deck revival and evangelism initiative of the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
G. Alexander Bryant, NAD president, has emphasized the objective and mission of this initiative: “At its core, Pentecost 2025 is an acknowledgment of our need for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit. It is a commitment to pray earnestly for the outpouring of this latter rain … to engage in the compassionate ministry of Jesus through community activities; … to harvest the interests of those who are open to knowing Jesus; to proclaim the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ; … to engage in discipling new members. And finally, to start the cycle all over again.”
One of the tangible goals of Pentecost 2025 is to collectively conduct at least 3,000 proclamation initiatives across the division within the year. A first fruit of this goal is scheduled for March 9–29 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Winston Taylor, pastor of the Cedar Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church, with a core team of about 15 members, has already established significant connections with the community through multiple outreach efforts.
Busy Believers
Taylor initially gained awareness of Pentecost 2025 from his conference president, Pastor Carlton Byrd (Southwest Region). Taylor says Byrd’s coaching and counsel have been of inestimable value.
Cedar Grove began planning for the March meetings in October 2024, understanding the need for active groundwork and soil cultivation in order to experience a rich harvest. As [KM1] [JS2] mentioned, one of the church’s acts of service was a Christmas party in December. A local benefactor partnered with the team to effect a toy distribution for children who would have otherwise experienced a scant holiday season.
More than 400 people attended the party, and more than 100 expressed interest in Bible studies, including Florinda Clark. She and Pastor Taylor have been steadily progressing through the Message magazine Bible Study course.
Taylor shared that another service event occurred on Sunday, January 19. Cedar Grove hosted a community baby shower. Guest speakers included specialized professionals from fields such as pediatric health and childhood education. With assistance from individual supporters, the nearby Walmart, and seed funds provided by the NAD for Pentecost 2025, the team was able to share with those in need a hearty supply of items necessary for parenthood preparation, such as baby beds, car seats, diapers, etc.[KM3] [JS4]
The impact of this outreach is reflected in Cedar Grove’s Facebook page being flooded with positive, appreciative feedback, including this comment from Nakia Gee: “Thanks to Cedar Grove church at such a hard time for me right now, they have [become] a blessing to me and my kids. I have to smile to keep from crying almost every day.”
Taylor also highlighted the Praying in the Power of the Spirit project. The Cedar Grove team has been going to the hospital each Tuesday, standing outside to offer prayer support to people as they enter or exit. Taylor and his members gather the prayer requests, mostly health-related (contextually expected), as well as contact information to forge deeper relationships and follow up on how God is intervening in their lives. Dozens of people have expressed interest in Bible studies and spiritual matters through this project.
A foundational component to Cedar Grove’s evangelistic efforts is the extensive use of a felt needs survey. Their aim is to circulate about 5,000 surveys through the aforementioned and forthcoming events, as well as other means of contact. Shenika Bell, the church’s Bible worker, is fervently following up on the responses.
On Sunday, January 19, 2025, the Cedar Grove Adventist church hosts a community baby shower, with diapers and other supplies available to those in attendance. The event also featured professionals from fields such as pediatric health and childhood education serving as guest speakers. Photo used from the Cedar Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church Facebook page.
“Just Do Something”
There may be churches — members and leaders — throughout the division that desire to participate in Pentecost 2025 yet are battling various hesitancies. For his North American brothers and sisters, Taylor has simple yet profound advice: “Just do something, and as you do something, something turns into something more and something more and something more. Allow the Spirit to lead you to creativity.”
Please visit the Pentecost 2025 website for more information and helpful resources, as well as the NAD News website to keep pace with the initiative as pertinent efforts and events unfold.