Coastal Shores’ Compassion Project Yields 100 Souls
The Coastal Shores Seventh-day Adventist Church, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, partnered with the Virginia Beach Seventh-day Adventist Church to conduct a groundbreaking Pentecost 2025 initiative aimed at winning souls into the Kingdom of God. Pastor James Hiers (Coastal Shores SDA, Allegheny East Conference) and Pastor Jorge Quintiana (Virginia Beach SDA, Potomac Conference) believed that it was important to bring their congregations together for the spreading of the gospel with the hope of igniting Holy Spirit fire within the city of Virginia Beach. The event was reminiscent of the Acts church “working together, having all things in common…continuing daily with one accord in the temple” (Acts 2:44-46).
Beginning November 5, 2025, for consecutive evenings, the public was invited to gather at the Virginia Beach Seventh-day Adventist Church campus. Pastor Jorge Quitiana opened the doors of his church and his baptistry to anyone desiring to give their life to Jesus Christ. This Compassion Project focused on understanding and meeting the needs of surrounding communities. Guided by Christ’s Method Alone, Pastor James Hiers (Coastal Shores, SDA) and District Pastor David Thorpe (Cedars of Lebanon) implemented a strategy centered on building soul-winning relationships through service, compassion, and meaningful engagement.
Each evening began with members from both churches assembling at 5:00 p.m. for united prayer over the event. At 5:30 p.m., community participants arrived to register and participate, including opportunities to receive giveaways at the conclusion of each night. Evangelist Jermaine Nelson (South Atlantic Conference) delivered a dynamic, Christ-centered salvation message every night, consistently extending an appeal for participants to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Night after night, many individuals responded—either through baptism or by profession of faith.
Numerous attendees returned consistently, eager to hear messages that reinforced the truth of the gospel and affirmed the central theme that Jesus writes your story. This evangelistic effort demonstrated the power of intentional prayer, community engagement, and relationship-based ministry in leading individuals to a deeper relationship with Christ. One hundred souls accepted salvation, 74 were baptized, and 26 joined by profession of faith.
Testimony
On Sabbath, November 8, 2025, Pastor James Hiers preached a powerful and Spirit-filled message that revealed Jesus Christ’s unwavering willingness to forgive, redeem, and restore broken lives. The sermon, titled Damaged Goods, centered on a compelling testimony comparing dented canned goods—scarred on the outside yet still valuable because of what remains on the inside—to the human condition.
With heartfelt conviction, Pastor Hiers reminded the congregation that although life’s experiences may leave us bruised, scarred, or broken, our value is never diminished in the eyes of God. What matters most is what He has placed within us. Through Christ, no one is discarded, overlooked, or beyond redemption.
The message culminated in a deeply moving appeal that touched hearts and transformed lives. Ten non-members responded, making life-changing decisions to be baptized—publicly declaring their faith and embracing Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. They accepted this moment as a new beginning, trusting that God, in His grace, continues to write their story.
Indeed, no matter the damage we carry, God sees our worth—and in Him, restoration is always possible.
Retaining the Harvest
Bible evangelists were on campus throughout the event. Elder Minger Nesmith Jr. (Allegheny West Conference), Minger Mekil Nesmith, and Angel Cohill utilized QR codes and appeal cards to develop a database of participant information, which was shared with the Coastal Shores retention team. Engagement committees then organized teams to conduct in-person Bible studies. Following the event, new believers are encouraged to participate in weekly Bible study, Sabbath School, and divine worship service. In addition, the church is committed to “retaining the harvest” through monthly compassion-driven events, including Adventist Youth Society (AYS), social gatherings, gifting initiatives, and recognition events for new members.
This soul-winning experience was possible because Pastor Jorge Quintiana and Pastor James Hiers embraced diversity and reduced the bonds of cultural differences. Instead, the two aligned their faith, believing that God would do the impossible in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Submitted by Pastor James Hiers