North Pacific Union executive committee has embraced the vision for Pentecost 2025, an evangelism initiative that seeks to encourage 3,000 evangelism proclamation meetings throughout North America.
In their most recent meeting on Aug. 14, 2024, the committee approved the promotion of Pentecost 2025 across the six ministry conferences in the five Pacific Northwest states. The committee’s decision includes three key actions: inviting churches and schools to participate, setting a prayer goal for participation and allocating additional funding to support the initiative.
The prayer goal is to engage at least 400 churches and schools in these proclamation events, which will include Bible study groups, evangelistic meetings, weeks of prayer and other opportunities spanning five days or more to specifically invite people to accept Jesus.
“The Holy Spirit is a promise to the church,” remarked John Freedman, NPUC president. “I’ve seen churches that have turned around through prayer.”
Enthusiastic Response
With unanimous support, Freedman encouraged committee members to personally take part in Pentecost 2025. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, with members eagerly sharing their commitments in the Zoom chat.
- “We are committed. We are in.” – Alex Bryan, Walla Walla University president
- “Yes, I’m all in.” – Larry Witzel, SermonView president
- “We are in and are asking all our department directors for their active involvement in conducting meetings.” – Doug Bing, Washington Conference president
- “We will have a series of meetings in Baker City, Oregon.” – Jerry Nickell, Idaho Conference lay member
- “I’m totally in ... Praise the Lord.” – Peter Simpson, NPUC vice president for Hispanic ministries
- “In and will present to our church board on Monday.” – Gretchen Bowers, Oregon Conference lay member
- “I am personally committed to helping the church meet its Pentecost 2025 evangelism outreach.” – Kevin Erich, Washington Conference lay member
- “Absolutely in!” – Kara Johnsson, Oregon Conference vice president for administration
- “All in — through health ministry in Yakima.” – Linda Sloop, Upper Columbia Conference lay member
- “Will be preaching a series in Helena, Montana, in October 2025. Let’s. Do. This.” – Ken Norton, Montana Conference president
- “I am all in.” – David Jamieson, UCC president
- Additional “all in” comments came from committee members and guests Erna Marquez, Rob Lang, Belinda Rodriguez, Randy Maxwell and David Prest.
Applying to Participate
Registration to be involved in Pentecost 2025 opened on July 1. The application process is quick and straightforward, taking about 10 minutes to complete 30 questions. Many churches and schools across the Pacific Northwest are enthusiastically signing up to participate, actively praying through their plans and preparing their applications.
Here’s the current status, as of August 2024, of church registrations for Pentecost 2025 across the conferences. (School participation was not available at the time of writing.)
- Alaska Conference: 29 churches, with no sign-ups yet.
- Idaho Conference: 44 churches, 9 signed up.
- Montana Conference: 33 churches, 4 signed up.
- Oregon Conference: 134 churches, 16 signed up.
- Upper Columbia Conference: 116 churches, 14 signed up.
- Washington Conference: 96 churches, 55 signed up.
NPUC Pentecost 2025 evangelism involvement dashboard for August 2024.
Each proclamation event requires a minimum of 15 sessions with at least five of the sessions being a public preaching meeting. NAD will give up to $3,000 per church, company, group or school.
The application process begins with church board approval. The church then submits their application to the conference which receives, approves and forwards it to NAD. Once the application is processed at NAD, AdventSource is alerted to send a participation kit to the local church.
Bill McClendon, NPUC vice president for administration, proposed and received approval in this same meeting for an NPUC funding model to support Pentecost 2025 evangelism initiative efforts in the Pacific Northwest in addition to NAD funding.
“NPUC is eager to financially support pastors, teachers, church administrators and lay persons who want to be part of what will likely be the greatest outreach initiative in NAD," McClendon said.
The four funding tiers each have 100 slots and total $550,000 in funding.
- For evangelism budgets over $15,000, NPUC will give up to $2,500 in support.
- For evangelism budgets ranging from $10–15,000, NPUC will give up to $1,500 in support.
- For evangelism budgets ranging from $5–10,000, NPUC will give up to $1,000 in support
- For evangelism budgets under $5,000, NPUC will give up to $500 in support.
“There are many ways you can be involved,” Freedman acknowledged. “It’s a matter of listening to God and seeing what He’s called you and your church or school to do to share your faith and invite someone to accept a relationship with Jesus, too.”
Preparing With Prayer
In preparation for Pentecost 2025, Adventists throughout North America are invited to participate in a season of prayer.
Randy Maxwell, Washington Conference vice president for administration and prayer ministries director, is leading Pacific Northwest prayer efforts.
“We’re suggested a ‘closet concert of prayer’ model where individuals are praying on their own at set hours,” Maxwell said. “We would love every leader and member of all ages to be united in prayer at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.”
Additionally, NPUC will host Prayer Zoom calls on Oct. 1 and Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. (Pacific). Conference and university partners will present additional prayer opportunities.
The NPUC prayer schedule will be led by:
- Oct. 1: NPUC
- Oct. 2–5: WWU
- Oct. 6–9: Alaska Conference
- Oct. 9–12: Idaho Conference
- Oct. 13–16: Montana Conference
- Oct. 16–19: Oregon Conference
- Oct. 20–23: UCC
- Oct 23–26: Washington Conference
- Oct. 27–30: WWU
- Oct. 31: NPUC
Each prayer partner entity may choose to host a daily prayer teleconference, Zoom call and/or social media prayer reminders.
“I am reminded of a thought that Ellen White penned that is included in Testimonies to Ministers,” Maxwell said. “She writes, ‘God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness’” (p. 299:2).
“As we prepare for Pentecost 2025, we encourage everyone to join in this pivotal season of prayer,” Freedman said. “By participating in the scheduled prayer times and events, each of us can contribute to a unified effort that fosters spiritual growth and community. Let’s come together in prayer, seeking God's guidance and blessings as we embark on this journey of partnering with the Holy Spirit and seeing lives transformed for God’s kingdom.”
