From June 6 to June 8, 2025, churches across Central America and Caribbean (CAC) held a multi-day Pentecost retreat, culminating in a wave of spiritual renewal and commitment to the Great Commission. The retreat was held simultaneously in key locations including Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Managua (Nicaragua), and Mexico City (Mexico), and was marked by deep biblical teachings, heartfelt prayer, and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The central focus throughout was the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, based on the first chapters of the Book of Acts.
In Santo Domingo, Pastor Madelind Martinez delivered the final message based on Acts 1:17, reminding the congregation that Pentecost was historically a day of thanksgiving for the firstfruits. In the New Testament, this symbolizes Christ as the firstfruit of resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20), and the 120 disciples in Acts 1:15 as the lastfruits. She emphasized that to truly understand the descent of the Holy Spirit, one must understand the Book of Acts in depth. She raised thought-provoking questions: Why must the Holy Spirit come? Why does He come? Pastor Madelind answered by explaining that although Christ is no longer physically present, the Holy Spirit came to ensure that believers would never be left as orphans. The Spirit, she said, is the continual evidence of God’s love and care for each person.
She also reminded those present of human weakness—that we are truly incompetent and always fall—but the Spirit lifts us up, grants grace, and teaches us daily. The Holy Spirit heals, strengthens, and renews those who seek Him. As the Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers, they are again called to sow and reap—continually engaged in the mission of sharing the gospel. Pastor Madelind concluded by urging the church to be bold, beautiful witnesses of Christ to the ends of the earth, and to embrace their calling with courage and commitment.
Meanwhile, in Managua, Pastor Thalita preached from Acts 1:8, focusing on the empowering nature of the Holy Spirit to make believers into witnesses. “God always pours out an anointing with a mission,” she declared. She explained that the Spirit’s coming is not merely a spiritual experience but a divine empowerment to proclaim salvation. Drawing from Romans 5 and 8, she emphasized that the Holy Spirit is a gift of the Father’s love, bringing peace, helping believers overcome the flesh, and interceding in prayer. Pastor Thalita compared believers to good soil, which receives the word and bears fruit through the Spirit’s nourishment. At the end of the message, she lovingly guided the congregation to partake in the Lord’s Supper with reverence, reminding them of the importance of self-examination and thankfulness for Christ’s redemptive work.
Mexico City hosted a series of lectures and prayer gatherings over the course of the retreat. On the second day, pastors Miriam Vázquez and Jhanet Lomar, along with leader Hans Riveros, shared deep insights into Peter’s sermon in Acts 2. They reflected on how Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed Jesus as Lord, fulfilling Joel’s prophecy and marking the dawn of a new spiritual era. They reminded the attendees that the gospel’s power is not rooted in human effort, but in God’s will and providence. Salvation is achieved not by merit but through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Another strong theme across all locations was the necessity of true repentance. Leaders such as Francisca Mayorga and Nayeli Martinez emphasized that repentance is not simply about regretting personal sins, but about acknowledging the gravity of rejecting Christ, the Son of God, who was sent to save the world. Pastor Madelind elaborated on this in her earlier message as well, stating that real repentance must lead to a transformed heart and a new life that glorifies God.
The services also highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming ordinary people—once fearful and weak—into courageous witnesses of Christ. Drawing from Acts 2 and Joel’s prophecy, the speakers declared that the Spirit is now poured out on all flesh, regardless of background or status, and that believers today are called to embrace this empowerment to fulfill God’s mission.
As the retreat concluded in each city, the congregations gathered for the Lord’s Supper. In Santo Domingo, after the closing message, each member gave thanks to God for the grace received. In Managua and Mexico City, leaders led heartfelt prayers for ongoing spiritual renewal, asking the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, and fill them afresh.
Across the region, the Pentecost retreat served as a profound reminder that while believers are weak on their own, the Holy Spirit lifts them up, heals them, and enables them to live lives of mission and power. The same Spirit who empowered the early Church continues to call today’s believers to proclaim Christ boldly, sow seeds of truth, and bear fruit that will last. The retreat closed with hearts full of gratitude, leaders renewed in their calling, and congregations united in their desire to walk faithfully in the Spirit to the ends of the earth.