A spirit of revival is stirring in the Alabama-West Florida Conference, as more than 50 United Methodist churches unite for
The Great 50 Day Challenge—a growing movement focused on inviting people into new and abundant life in Jesus Christ between Easter and Pentecost.
What began as a grassroots effort to rekindle the church’s mission has become a powerful annual tradition. In the wake of recent denominational challenges, leaders across the conference are stepping forward with bold faith and hopeful hearts, ready to refocus on Christ’s call to make disciples.
The idea is simple but Spirit-filled: on Easter Sunday, each participating church announces a faith-driven goal for how many new members they believe God could bring over the 50 days leading to Pentecost. Churches set goals appropriate to their context—some aiming for 50 new members, others 10 or 20.
“The Great 50 Day Challenge isn’t about a program or a curriculum,” said Dr. Geoffrey Lentz, who launched the movement in 2016 while serving in Port St. Joe UMC. “It’s about stepping out in faith and asking the Holy Spirit to miraculously bring people to new and abundant life in Jesus Christ.” That year, Dr. Lentz’s church set an unimaginable goal of 50 new members—and welcomed 98, many by profession of faith.
Momentum continues to build. This year, approximately 58 churches from across the Alabama-West Florida Conference are taking part. In February, leaders gathered at Blue Lake for a retreat to pray, set membership goals, and prepare for this holy season of evangelism and renewal.
Rev. Christina Shaver shared her excitement, “We had huge success with the challenge at my former church, and I can’t wait to take it again this year at Trinity UMC in Fort Walton Beach. We believe it will make a huge difference in the life of our church. On Sunday, 27th, we held baptism night where we witnessed heaven rejoicing as lives were made new in Christ. From tears to triumph, from death to life - baptism night was nothing short of holy.”
Rev. Ashlee Mosley Brown, Director of Operations at Bright Bridge Ministries and serving Richards Memorial UMC in Pensacola, Florida echoed her excitement. "I have seen firsthand in previous churches I've served the power of the Great 50 Days," she stated. "St. Paul UMC Gulf Breeze had many members join and be baptized a couple years ago and I was so inspired as it was the first time I had heard of this movement. Now, as a member of First UMC Pensacola I am motivated with the excitement of it all this year as Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz has been so instrumental in leading this effort in our conference. First UMC Pensacola is gearing up for a full Great 50 Days! Personally, as an appointed clergyperson at Richards Memorial UMC and Bright Bridge Ministries in Pensacola, whose congregation is made up of mostly indigent, homeless, impoverished, under resourced and underrepresented persons, we look forward to intentionally welcoming them to join our membership, be baptized or remember their baptism. We will, for the first time in many years at this ministry, be very intentional about moving our congregation members to membership in the life of the church. It's exciting!”
“It is exciting to have over 50 churches participating in the 50 Day Challenge. We are about to see an explosion of resurrection life as the Holy Spirit does a new thing in our annual conference," expressed Dr. Nathan Attwood, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Marianna, Florida.
Dr. Cory Smith, Senior Pastor of Auburn UMC, Auburn, AL shared, "During the great 50 days, we are looking to continue the growth at A.U.M.C. that has helped us receive 30 new families, a confirmation class, and more adult baptisms than infant baptisms in 2025. God is bringing new life to the people called United Methodist and we give thanks!”
“If Christ is risen, then we have a sure and certain hope that our best days are ahead of us, and we have a calling to invite people into this Resurrection life,” Rev. Patrick Hitchman-Craig of Foundry UMC reflected.
Final results will be shared on Pentecost Sunday, June 8
th. But more than numbers, leaders anticipate stories of transformation, healing, and hope as churches recommit to the Gospel.
There is still time for local churches to join the movement and be part of what God is doing. To learn more or sign up, visit
The Great 50 Days website.
*Pictured above: Trinity UMC in Ft. Walton Beach celebrated baptism night with their student ministry.
