North Valley Youth Set Their Faith Ablaze
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Albuquerque North Valley Spanish Church youth embarked on a powerful spiritual journey during the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Pedro Guzman, pastor of the Plano Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church, led a dynamic series of evangelistic meetings centered on the theme “Holy Fire in the Upper Room,” inspired by Acts 2, which describes the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples at Pentecost.
Each evening was filled with prayer, worship and compelling messages that emphasized the importance of keeping the fire of the Holy Spirit alive through fervent prayer and standing boldly for Jesus in today’s world.
Guzman extended heartfelt appeals to visitors who attended the meetings. He reminded them that each person has a divine purpose, urging the church to continue praying for those still on their spiritual journey.
“The problem with our church is not theology or doctrine—it’s our lack of fervent prayer,” Guzman said. “The greatest victories are not won through influence or heated debate. They happen in the presence of God when we kneel, surrender and stop telling God what to do. Instead, we acknowledge that He has already answered, that He is our help and refuge in any tribulation. When we lift our praises and worship to Him, heaven rejoices and the church is strengthened.”
Guzman called on attendees to silence the noise of the world, step away from fleeting distractions and prioritize time with God through personal, intimate prayer. He warned against investing more in social media approval than in spiritual growth, reminding the youth that true strength in life’s pressures comes through communion with God.
“We have access to the power of the Most High, yet we often fail to tap into it,” he told attendees. “The key to a better life—and to eternal life—is found on our knees.”
The highlight of the week came on Sabbath evening when Jonah and Kimberly Tarango made the life-changing decision to be baptized—publicly declaring their commitment to Christ. The couple not only celebrated their marriage that week but also took this powerful step of faith together. Jonah, who grew up in the North Valley church and was once a Pathfinder, embraced this moment as a renewal of his faith and a return to his church family. Earlier that day, during a special Sabbath morning dedication, the couple also dedicated their daughter to the Lord—symbolizing their desire to commit their entire family to God.
The weekend concluded on Easter Sunday with a moving sunrise service, during which the church gathered to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus and celebrate the spiritual victories they’d experienced through the week.
As the week came to a close, the North Valley church experienced a renewed sense of purpose. The youth shared their excitement and commitment to strengthen their walk with Christ, reflecting on the growth and connections they had made throughout the week.
