A week after his preaching series at the Indianapolis Central Spanish Church, Lake Union President Elden Ramirez (left) returned to sing with his daughter Elennie Ramirez and Bible worker Narda Herimalala at a cultural day celebration. Photography by Christa McConnell.
When the North American Division Executive Committee voted in 2024 to launch Pentecost 2025, it was more than another church program. It was a divine invitation to unite in mission, to mobilize churches and schools across North America for proclamation, prayer, community engagement, and discipleship, culminating in coordinated evangelistic efforts throughout the North American Division territory, including the United States, Canada, Bermuda and the Guam Micronesia Mission.
In the Lake Union, the response has been wholehearted. More than 500 churches and schools across the five conferences—Illinois, Indiana, Lake Region, Michigan, and Wisconsin—have signed up to participate. Some campaigns are already complete, others are currently underway, and many more are scheduled in the months ahead. Every conference is fully engaged and remarkable testimonies continue to remind us that heaven still moves when God’s people unite for mission. You will read several of these testimonies throughout this issue of the Lake Union Herald. To God be the glory.
In addition to its regular evangelism appropriations, the Lake Union allocated a special $100,000 this year to the North American Division Evangelism Institute (NADEI), to advance evangelistic initiatives. Of that, $90,000 supported the Andrews Theological Seminary Field School of Evangelism in Indianapolis, which led multiple public campaigns throughout the city, while exemplifying the spirit of partnership that continues to define our mission work.
One of the most inspiring aspects of this work has been watching two conferences labor side by side. The Indiana and Lake Region conferences partnered beautifully through united evangelistic initiatives to reach Indianapolis for Jesus. As of Oct. 8, we have received reports from several of the churches totaling 180 baptisms, and we are still waiting for others to send in their final numbers. Based on the responses coming in, we anticipate that the total number of baptisms may exceed 200 once all reports are received. This does not include the many ongoing Bible studies that resulted from the recent evangelistic meetings, which are expected to lead to additional baptisms before the year concludes.
During the planning phase, we learned that the Indianapolis Central Spanish Church longed to be part of the Pentecost 2025 evangelism movement but lacked sufficient funds. After prayerful consideration, the Lake Union provided resources for a Bible worker, and I personally accepted the invitation to serve as one of the evangelists. This not only supported a congregation eager to witness but also strengthened our collective commitment to partnership in mission.
This aligned with an invitation from North American Division President G. Alexander Bryant, who encouraged each Union president to personally participate in an evangelistic series. As a pastor who conducts an annual campaign, I sensed God’s prompting to join Indiana’s reaping meetings. The Indiana Conference embraced this idea, and I was invited me to preach at Indiana Central Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church, the mother church of Spanish Adventism in the state.
Although the campaign joined the citywide effort later than others and had limited preparation time, God’s power was clearly present. Bible workers Belkis and Luis Dollison served faithfully in the brief time they had, just a week and a half before the meetings began. Ideally, for a strong reaping harvest, Bible workers are engaged in the territory for at least three to six months of groundwork. However, in this case, their late arrival meant they had only a short window to make contacts, visit homes, and study with interests. Despite the limited time, their dedication and prayerful ministry made a meaningful difference and helped prepare hearts for the messages that followed. Meanwhile, Pastor Narda Herimalala had been ministering for four weeks prior to the series, focusing on the English-speaking members and working diligently in preparing and coordinating all the music for this evangelistic gathering.
During the 10-day series, I joined music evangelist Hugo Yin and Pastor Julio Chazarreta to proclaim the good news of salvation. Each night we saw hearts moved and lives changed. Six individuals were baptized before the meetings began, and by the end, 12 more entered the waters of baptism, with seven others preparing to make their decision. In total, 18 new believers were added to the family of faith. The Lord blessed abundantly, proving once again that when we move in faith, He provides the harvest.
The heart of Pentecost 2025 is not merely about meetings in 2025 but about embracing a lifestyle of mission. Across the Lake Union, this means equipping and walking alongside congregations as they share Christ in their communities. I have witnessed hearts renewed and a deepened passion for soul winning. Seeing believers, pastors, and administrators united for mission continues to strengthen my faith and reminds me that evangelism remains the lifeblood of the Church.
May Pentecost 2025 not simply be an event on our calendar but a movement of our hearts, where together we lead prayerfully, serve faithfully and rejoice as heaven reaps the harvest.
Elden Ramirez is president of the Lake Union Conference.
