Last fall, shortly after the North American Division launched Pentecost 2025—a movement inviting Seventh-day Adventists in North America to hold over 5,200 proclamation events throughout the year—Adventist pastor Chaka Samuel was scrolling Facebook when a post stopped him cold: his friend and fellow pastor Kojo Twumasi had led 80 people to publicly commit their lives to Christ through the Compassion Project.

Inspired, Samuel reached out, hoping to bring the same momentum to his own Indianapolis district. 

Originally intended for Muncie, the project shifted to the East Side Seventh-day Adventist Church when structural issues closed the Muncie church. He believed the vision still had a place. 

“We had the funds. We had the opportunity,” he said. “And I believed God still wanted to move.” 

That’s when the Lake Region pastor cast the vision before his elders at East Side. 

“I told my members, I don’t want Pentecost 2025 to be an event that comes and passes,” said Samuel. “I want us to experience Pentecost right here.” 

They did—and then some. 

Over the course of a single week, July 20–26, the church welcomed more than 200 visitors per night, held nightly evangelistic meetings paired with community giveaways, and saw 74 people make a public decision for Christ—including church members’ loved ones and people from the neighborhood. 

Finding Needs, Meeting Needs 

To plan, Samuel turned to an unexpected source: ChatGPT. He asked the AI for the top five needs in ZIP code 46218. The answers—poverty, food insecurity, housing instability, poor health outcomes, and educational gaps—shaped the Compassion Project strategy. 

The church responded by serving hot meals, giving away backpacks, school supplies, groceries, diapers, toiletries, laundry supplies, and clothes. Each night began with music and a message, followed by giveaways and fellowship. 

Advertising was entirely digital. Facebook ads ran for nine days and generated over 1,200 sign-ups. The church hosted a Vacation Bible School, complete with inflatables, sprinklers, and snow cones, which averaged 50 kids per night. 

The entire project was funded through a combination of Pentecost 2025 support, Lake Region Conference evangelism funds, and other donations and evangelism funds. 

“We got a lot of ministry impact for what we spent,” Samuel said. “God multiplied it.” 

Digital Revival, Real Results 

Each evening, Twumasi preached biblical messages built around Seventh-day Adventist faith.  

“Some people made decisions on the spot,” Samuel said. “We baptized every single night.” 

Before each public decision, the team reviewed the church’s core beliefs—such as salvation through Jesus, the Sabbath, the hope of His second coming, and what the Bible teaches about life after death.

One woman, moments after her decision, let out piercing cries—what Samuel and others saw as a spiritual release.

“That reminded us why we don’t delay,” he explained. “People are seeking freedom now.”

What Comes Next 

With the campaign concluded, the East Side team is now focused on retention—a challenge Samuel anticipated from the start. 

“We put a plan in place before the week even began,” he said. “We’re focusing on three things: social engagement, discipleship, and volunteering.” 

Pentecost Came 

On a usual Saturday, the East Side Church usually sees about 50 attendees. Many are older. Pulling off a project of this scale, Samuel admitted, took faith—and energy. 

“There were moments of frustration,” he said. “We were tired. We were overwhelmed. But it brought us together.” 

Some of the most moving decisions came from within the church. The church’s community services director watched her adult son make his decision for Christ.

An elder’s lifelong friend made his decision after working security during the event all week. An elder’s wife, who had long been assumed to be a member, also made her public commitment. 

For East Side, the priority now is helping new members grow in faith and community life through Bible classes, social gatherings, and opportunities to serve.

The original article was published on the North American Division news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.