The Wind of Pentecost: An Outpouring Among Youth

Story by Anthony Chornes II

The wind of Pentecost is sweeping powerfully through the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Allegheny West Conference (AWC), igniting revival, bold witness and spiritual transformation. Rooted in the promise of Acts 2:38–39, Pentecost 2025 has become more than a initiative; it’s a movement.

The vision of this ministry is clear: to see every church view children and youth as candidates for the kingdom of heaven. This sacred vision is anchored in the words of inspiration from The Review and Herald, December 17, 1889: “Those who love God should feel deeply interested in the children and youth. To them God can reveal His truth and salvation. Across the conference territory, this vision is coming to life as churches experience the Spirit move in dynamic ways.

In January, the Manantial de Vida church in Columbus, Ohio, hosted its first Club Revival, where Adventurers and Pathfinders encountered Jesus. Under the preaching of Jamal Franklyn, youth director, two youth were baptized, marking the first spiritual fruits of the season.

Two months later, the El Buen Pastor church in Fairfield, Ohio, held its first Evangelistic Club Revival, with bilingual messages from Franklyn, challenging youth to stand out for Christ. The Spirit moved decisively, and Pastor Jonathan Sanchez baptized two Adventurers and two Pathfinders.

In April, youth preachers from the La Nueva Esperanza church in Cincinnati proclaimed the gospel each night with songs, skits, sermons and appeals. Their efforts culminated in four young people surrendering their lives to Jesus by being baptized by Pastor Marcos Marucco. Similarly, the Temple of Praise church in Cleveland celebrated two youth who were baptized by Pastor David Pluviose.

At the Grace Community church in Euclid, Ohio, the Spirit stirred hearts during its Pathfinder Day service. At the event, 10 Pathfinders expressed their desire to be baptized. Youth Pastor Johnathan Fields is now nurturing these young believers in the Bible, baptismal steps and discipleship.

The Pentecost wind also blew through the Luso Brazilian church in Dublin, Ohio, during its Youth Week of Prayer in May. Guest speaker Cándido Gomes, a pastor from Brazil, preached with power, and two youth responded by accepting Christ in baptism, led by Pastor Guilherme Pereira. Later that month, Pastor Keith Goodman of the Ephesus church in Columbus, Ohio, baptized a young man into the family of God.

The wind of Pentecost 2025 is not a single weekend; it is a movement of the Holy Spirit, stirring a generation to live fearlessly for Jesus, say AWC leaders. Youth are stepping up, standing out and surrendering to the call of Christ. The AWC rejoices in what God is doing and confidently believes that this is only the beginning. The wind of Pentecost still blows, and children, youth and “all who are far off” are hearing the call of the Lord, say conference leaders.