The Path to Pentecost
by Jose Cortes Jr.
The first item on the Agenda during our North American Division Pastoral Evangelism Advisory last week was Pentecost 2025 and our shared vision casted by our President, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the North American Division (1) praying for the Holy Spirit, (2) setting aside differences so we can be united in the midsts of diversity, (3) and preaching the Christ-centered gospel, inviting people to commit to Jesus and to become part of the church through baptism and discipleship.
At the time of our meeting last week, there were about nearly 2,500 churches and schools registered to participate in Pentecost 2025. As of today we have over 2,800 registered.
With 7,100 congregations and 900 schools across North America, there is room for more to participate.
If your church or your school has not registered yet to participate in Pentecost 2025, I would like to invite you to consider it. To sign up and for more info go to: https://pentecost2025.com
BONUS VIDEO: Interview With Pastor’s Roundtable About Pentecost 2025
In 2017, the first year when we retroactively measured the vitality of our churches in North America, 64% of our churches were either Plateauing or Declining, and 36% of them were Growing and Multiplying.
Last year, 2023, our North American Division Vitality Report showed that while 57% of our churches are still Plateauing or Declining, 43% of them are Growing and Multiplying.
Still so much work to do in our territory, but I like the trend. It shows that when we are intentional and work hard, with the blessing of God, to improve our churches’ health, positive things happen.
Church Vitality was one of the many highlights discussed during our four Missional / Multiply Advisories last week at the North American Division Headquarters.
Chairing the Pastoral Evangelism, Church Planting, Church Revitalization, and the Volunteer Lay Pastors Advisories formed by great missional leaders, who are committed to working hard and smart for church growth and church multiplication is an honor I never take for granted.
Let’s continue to pray for healthy Adventist churches across North America.
Pastor Jose Cortes Jr., is an Associate Director of the Ministerial Association and leads Evangelism, Church Planting, and Adventist/Global Mission for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
