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o, class, the assignment is open. Be creative, and ask yourself, ‘How can I reach my peers—those I associate with—and share God’s faithfulness and love through the story of Elijah?’”
I paused, scanning the faces of my 7th and 8th-grade students. This was my first year teaching at the school, and they had already experienced many “firsts” in my classroom. My goal was to ensure that Bible class wasn’t just theoretical but practical—an experience that built their confidence in sharing Christ and inspired them to see that they could lead even at their age.
Two weeks later, I sat in front of the classroom’s Promethean board, tears forming in my eyes. I watched their presentations for two days—expressions of faith woven into digital platforms: daily blogs, devotional vlogs, online games, and more. Their ideas were innovative and filled with purpose, pointing to Christ’s compassion through Elijah’s journey—with its highs and lows.
I found myself thinking,
An Initiative in Motion
On May 29, 2024, during a special executive committee session, the North American Division (NAD) voted to provide funding for churches and schools that signed up between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, to participate in Pentecost 2025. This initiative, grounded in Acts 2 and the first Pentecost with Jesus’ disciples, is more than an evangelistic event or series in 2025—it’s about transformation. It’s about prayer. It’s about asking the Holy Spirit to move us and renew our efforts to reach individuals for Christ.
We have exceeded our goal of 3,000 participants, with 5,000 churches and schools engaged in prayer, planning, community engagement, and proclamations. Of these, 321 Adventist schools and academies across the NAD are actively involved in Pentecost 2025.
Each day, we witness momentum building—not just in numbers but in passion, one guided by the Holy Spirit and poised to reshape the future of our churches and schools.
"We have a vast challenge, a vast assignment before us—to reach North America with the gospel of Jesus Christ,” stated NAD president G. Alexander Bryant during a November 2024 Year-End Meeting. “We’re living in a new world of media and technology, and as a church, we’re barely scraping the surface of our potential. Just like the pioneers—who were in their 20s—youth and young adults have an opportunity to be leaders in media ministry. We need to leverage the strength of all entities.”
That means your students.
That means you.
That means us.
Young people don’t need permission to be passionate about Jesus. But they do need encouragement, mentorship, and support.
They need schools and churches that will say:
When we empower our youth, they’ll create new paths to reach places and people we never could.
So, how can you, as a leader, principal, teacher, church member, and school, lead and empower youth during Pentecost 2025 and continue supporting them beyond 2025?
Here are ideas and a few of the resources available you may find helpful as you get started:
Invite them to lead – Give them real opportunities in your church and school. Let them organize community engagement events, lead in weeks of prayer, evangelistic events and small groups, run media ministries, or host Bible studies in new ways that resonate with their generation.
Mentor – Be a guide and a support. Allow them to explore new ideas and share your experiences. Partner with them. And even learn from them.
Equip with resources – Review the resources available on the NAD’s Pentecost2025.com school evangelism webpage. A few are listed below.
RESOURCES
Voice of Prophecy and It Is Written are offering free resources.
Jesus 101 – Jesus Wins! Bible study course, perfect for leading small groups.
Momentum – Bible studies that speak directly to today’s teens.
Breath of Life – Evie’s Treehouse, a new audio devotional for kids.
New Beginnings – Children’s Bible study materials.
It Is Written – Evangelistic tools for all ages.
Faith for Today – Live, interactive Bible studies and self-improvement resources.
LifeTalk Radio – 276 radio station affiliates and dozens of programs designed for kids and young adults. Learn more about LifeTalk
CLASS ACTIVITIES
Bible Class Projects: Students can create materials (blogs, videos, devotionals, interactive Bible studies) that share the gospel in modern ways.
Media and Tech Integration: Let students create podcasts, social media content, or video testimonies about their faith journey and the power of prayer.
Drama and Creative Arts: Have students write and perform skits or spoken word poetry to share Christ.
As NAD President G. Alexander Bryant, reminds us, “The good news is God has already supplied everything […] Our greatest days are not behind us but ahead of us.”
We are together in mission.
You are a critical part of Pentecost 2025.
We invite you—educators and young leaders—to step forward and take the lead.
“These are the new disciples. They are the future of Christ’s
message spreading across the world. I wish the church could
see this. I wish they could see these young people's insights,
creativity, and vision to reach others authentically right where
they are. Our youth can contribute so much—if we just let them
lead. And not later. They can do it right now.”
Yes, you can lead worship and weeks of prayer in new ways.
Yes, you can use media and technology to share the gospel. Right now. Not years to come.
Yes, we will equip you, walk beside you, and watch your passion burn bright.
A Fire Within:
Pentecost 2025
feature
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Rachel L. Tyson
NAD Presidential–Pentecost 2025
NAD's Pentecost 2025 School Evangelism Resoures Website
