On April 12, 2025, the Northside Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Louis, Missouri, was filled with energy, unity, and purpose during the Ignite St. Louis: One Spirit, One Mission prayer symposium. Hosted by the Mid-America and Lake Union conferences, the evening event drew church members and leaders together to pray for God’s power and guidance leading up to major evangelistic efforts. Prayers were offered specifically for the Pathway to Health clinic, evangelistic meetings in multiple locations, church-led efforts with Pentecost 2025, and a special community focused prayer initiative during the General Conference Session.

Keynote speakers G. Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division, and Mark Finley, evangelist and assistant to the president of the General Conference, inspired attendees to pray boldly, serve faithfully, and trust God to do something special in St. Louis.

The event was part of a larger movement of prayer-focused efforts happening across North America. With more than 5,000 planned evangelistic campaigns taking place in 2025, church leaders are calling members to unite in prayer like never before. The goal is to seek the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and prepare hearts for a large harvest of souls.

“We want the world to see a miracle in St. Louis,” said Gary Thurber, president of the Mid-America Union, during his welcome. “When delegates from around the globe come for the General Conference Session, may they see what happens when Jesus is in the middle—there is peace.”

Mark Tagaloa, the newest pastor serving at the St. Louis Central church and associate ministerial director for the Iowa-Missouri conference, opened the meeting with prayer and humor, introducing himself as “a big, loving Samoan” ready to do God’s work in the city. He thanked the church family for their warm welcome and reminded everyone that God is calling people right now to serve in St. Louis.

Bryant, who once served as president of the Central States Conference and was baptized at Northside church, shared a message from Matthew 28 that encouraged believers not to be discouraged by doubt. 

“Jesus begins the Gospel Commission not with ‘go,’ but with ‘all authority has been given unto Me,’” he said. He explained that believers don’t just go with ordinary power—they go with exousia power, derived from the Greek for divine authority.

His message reminded the audience that even when some believers doubt, Jesus still sends his people with authority to preach the gospel. “The church is not on the defense,” Bryant declared. “We’re not just trying to keep the devil out. We are storming the gates of hell with Holy Ghost power.”

After several seasons of prayer and scripture, Pastor Finley concluded the evening with a message on the power of intercessory prayer. Using stories and Bible verses, he explained that when people pray for others, God moves in special ways to open hearts and change lives.

“You may not understand how prayer works, but you don’t have to understand electricity to flip on the light,” he said. “Something happens when we pray that does not happen when we do not pray.”

He shared how churches and families can experience miracles when they commit to daily, specific, and Spirit-led prayer for others. He encouraged everyone to make a list of people they are praying for and believe that God hears and responds.

Throughout the evening, attendees were invited multiple times to form small prayer groups. Whether praying for the General Conference Session, the evangelistic series scheduled for St. Louis, or the upcoming Your Best Pathway to Health event, the sanctuary was filled with quiet, earnest voices lifted in prayer.

A major focus of the evening was also to rally support for Pathway to Health, a large-scale free medical clinic scheduled for May 2025 in downtown St. Louis. Organizers are expecting thousands of people to come through the clinic to receive not only medical care but also spiritual encouragement and follow-up from local churches. Speakers shared stories from past clinics, including people who joined the church after being touched by the kindness of volunteers.

“We’re not just treating bodies,” said Kathy Prophitt, one of the program leaders. “We’re connecting people to Jesus through love and service.”

Kyle Allen, a vice president with Adventist World Radio and Carmelo Mercado, general vice president of the Lake Union Conference also emphasized how every member is needed—not just pastors or doctors, but anyone with a willing heart and a smile.

Elden Ramirez, executive secretary of the Lake Union, shared a personal testimony about planting churches in St. Louis more than 25 years ago. At the time, he and his wife were struggling with infertility, but as they focused on mission work — knocking on doors and preaching the gospel — God performed a miracle. “My daughter was born right here in St. Louis,” he said. “Miracles still happen when we focus on sharing the love of Christ.”

Ramirez reminded the crowd that evangelism is not just about events but about changed lives. “If you want to see miracles in your own life, go work for someone else’s salvation,” he said.

Trevor Barnes, pastor of Northside church, was recognized and thanked for graciously opening the church’s doors and helping host the event.

Before the night ended, those in attendance were asked to pray in small groups for the upcoming General Conference Session, the evangelistic series in St. Louis, and the thousands of people who will be served by Pathway to Health. Voices were lifted in prayer all around the church.

At the end of the program, guests were invited to stay for a fellowship meal. Leaders encouraged people from different churches to meet someone new, build community, and prepare to work together in the months ahead.

As one speaker said during the event, “St. Louis will never be the same after this year.”

— Hugh Davis is the associate communication director for the Mid-America Union; this article was originally published on the Outlook magazine website.