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There's something about the day of Pentecost that many people have overlooked. Sure, everyone knows that Peter preached that day, and that thousands came to Christ. But what is often overlooked is the participation of the other disciples:

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words." (Acts 2:14)

It's so subtle you almost miss it: ALL of the disciples stood together that day. The day of Pentecost was not a solo effort. There were no superstar evangelists, even though Peter obviously did the preaching. The harvest on the day of Pentecost was the result of God blessing a united effort.

The same thing happens today when God's people stand together for the sake of carrying out the gospel commission. Far too often, evangelistic meetings are the product of one or two dedicated people, when heavenly angels are sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for the whole church to spring into action. If a majority of God's people were involved, spectacular things would happen.

"Hope" for an Entire Country

This is not a mere theory or speculation; I've seen it in action. Throughout the first part of 2007, churches all across the Bolivian Union worked in concert to produce something spectacular for God: The Hope Is Jesus. All across the nation, laypeople linked arms with the clergy to bring the gospel of Christ to their neighborhoods. As a result, more than 2,240 evangelistic meetings were held across the country.

The effort came to a peak in April, when It Is Written participated in a weeklong series of reaping meetings. For eight nights, I had the privilege of preaching to thousands of people who had gathered in hundreds of auditoriums to watch The Hope Is Jesus as it was broadcast live from the auditorium at the Adventist University of Cochabamba. For eight nights, we explained the essentials of the Christian faith and called people to make decisions for Christ.

Nine-Year-Old Marcelito's Story

The decisions were nothing short of miraculous. Young Marcelito, only nine years of age, had heard of meetings in his neighborhood and begged his parents to let him attend. Normally, his parents had little use for Bible meetings or the people who held them, but for some reason, they allowed him to go that night. When he returned from the meetings, he was glowing and said, "Mom! Dad! If I bring my family tomorrow night, they'll give me a prize!"

His parents refused to go, and told Marcelito he wouldn't be going anymore, either. His heart was crushed. He loved the meetings. He began to plead with his mother and father, and his heartfelt tears wore down their resistance. After listening to him beg for quite some time, they agreed to go—just once.

When they heard the gospel being preached, they were instantly hooked. Not only did they become regular attendees, but they also began to furnish the prizes for others who brought their families!

Not long after that, young Marcelito stood with his parents, Marcelo and Carolina, in the baptistry, on live television. Marcelo is a colonel in the Bolivian army, and many of his coworkers and fellow officers were able to watch his act of faith over the satellite feed the night he took his stand with his family.

A Daughter's Prayer

Maria's daughter gave her heart to Christ seven years ago. She tried to explain her newfound faith to her mother, but mom didn't want to hear it. She was already active in religion—in her own way—and didn't want anything to do with her daughter's decision.

For seven years, her daughter got out of bed at 5 a.m. to pray specifically for her mother, with little evidence that her prayers were working. Then came The Hope Is Jesus, and to her delight, her mother agreed to go! Not only did Maria attend the meetings, but she also made a decision for Christ and was baptized on live television.

Heavenly Currency

Hundreds of people were baptized in our Cochabamba auditorium during these meetings—because something very special happens when everyone is working off the same page. Hundreds more were baptized who watched the meetings by satellite.

On the final night, Pastor Eric Monnier, president of the Bolivian Union Mission and principal architect of the project, made a very special presentation on the broadcast: A check written for a very large amount.

What did money have to do with these meetings? Almost nothing (except for the fact that meetings like this require an investment made by faith!) The check was not made out in worldly currency—it was drawn on Heaven's bank in the amount of 12,276 souls—the number of people who had already made their decision for baptism by closing night.

Imagine. Everybody involved. More than 12,000 decisions so far. The number continues to grow by the day. Why? Because God does something special when we're all working off the same page.