The Pentecost Offering unites us in a churchwide effort to support young people in Christ and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world.

Each year on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church.  The Holy Spirit remains with us still, connecting us with the church of the past, continuing to inspire the church of today, and pointing us to the church of the future.

Studies show that a foundation of faith established during childhood through young adulthood, helps ensure lifelong faith and service.  Psalm 71 testifies to this same truth.  Verse 17 says “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.”  The patterns and lessons established during these formative years continue to bear fruit throughout a person’s life.

These lessons might be taught through a congregation’s commitment to Educate a Child, Transform the World in ministries that shape a child’s academic achievement, setting them on a path toward a stable future.  They might be taught through one of the youth events sponsored by Ministries with Youth at the national church that brings together young people from all over the country to share their experiences of faith with one another, and learn how their faith can help them address challenges all over the world.  Or our young adults may be guided through a year of intentional service where they discern God’s call upon their lives by our Young Adult Volunteer Program.

And there is more — Presbyterian congregations are finding new ways to minister to children at-risk in their own communities. General Assembly programs are advocating for children and developing youth and young adult leaders.

By giving to the Pentecost Offering, one of the four Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), we are nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come; children, youth, and young adults. We invite your congregation to join with the worldwide church in building for our future, in building individual lives of faith.  Won’t you join us?  If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.

We’ll be taking up the Pentecost offering on May 20th, Pentecost Sunday. You can also donate by texting  YOUNG to 56512 or visiting www.pcusa.org/pentecost.