As we approach Pentecost this Sunday, we are reminded that the same Spirit who descended with power on the early disciples is still at work today—moving across boundaries, renewing hearts, and reconciling communities. A group of us recently witnessed this truth firsthand during a journey through Lebanon and Egypt. There, we encountered faithful Presbyterians and ministry partners whose resilience, creativity, and deep commitment to the Gospel gave evidence that the Spirit is alive and active, even in regions marked by historical challenges and current unrest (You may read more about our visit here).

We saw in those communities what the Confession of 1967 so beautifully articulates:

“The Holy Spirit creates and renews the church as the community in which people are reconciled to God and to one another. The Spirit enables people to receive forgiveness as they forgive one another and to enjoy the peace of God as they make peace among themselves. Despite their sin, the Spirit gives people power to become representatives of Jesus Christ and his gospel of reconciliation to all.”
(Book of Confessions 9.20)

This is more than an ideal theology—it is a lived reality. The same Spirit that empowered the apostles to speak in many languages and launch a transformative movement is empowering ordinary believers today to embody Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation across cultures, languages, and generations.

Here in our own region, we are challenged to lean fully into that Spirit-led calling. As we celebrate Pentecost, we are called not only to remember the gift of the Spirit but to depend on it anew. We cannot accomplish our goals by our strength alone. Only the Spirit can truly help us support each other as we:

• Promote the vitality of our congregations, energizing our worship, multiplying our leadership, deepening our discipleship, and transforming our stewardship.
• Increase the number of people worshiping with our churches and new worshiping communities, as the Book of Acts states that God added daily new people to the congregation.
• Broaden the ethnic diversity of our membership, aligning with the rich mosaic of our neighborhoods
  
  

These are not just metrics—they are Spirit-shaped dreams. Dreams of a church where forgiveness is practiced, peace is pursued, and more people are welcomed as a bearer of God’s image and recipient of Christ’s love.

We are seeing signs of the Spirit’s renewing work among us. In congregations throughout our Presbytery, there is a growing presence of worshipers from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The increase of people from Hispanic, Korean, Chinese, Iranian, Pakistani, Cameroonian, and Ugandan communities in several of our congregations is a confirmation that the Holy Spirit is indeed drawing people from every nation and background into the body of Christ. These emerging patterns reflect not only demographic shifts but a deeper spiritual movement—one that calls us to celebrate the beauty of God’s purposes unfolding in our midst. I pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to open our eyes, hearts, and arms to welcome new participants and members with grace and joy. May we become ever more attentive to the Spirit’s prompting—listening deeply, inviting freely, and loving abundantly—so that all who come through our doors experience not just a friendly church, but a Spirit-driven community where they can encounter the reconciling love of Jesus Christ. Come, Holy Spirit. Empower us to be your witnesses. Amen.

Rev. Juan Sarmiento, Executive Presbyter