In the powerful message titled “The Afterglow: The Spirit-Filled Servant,” Pastor Allen Victor shared a compelling testimony of witnessing the tangible work of the Holy Spirit both within and beyond the church. He opened by reflecting on how lives were being transformed.  People were being baptized and delivered from addictions like alcohol and cigarettes, and many have responded to the gospel.  Pastor Allen reflected the joy he and others on the mission team felt during a recent trip to the Dominican Republic. Pastor Allen spoke of the excitement surrounding God’s Word and how people were not only coming to Christ but also returning to the church with renewed hearts. This led to undeniable church growth, echoing the well-known phrase from rapper Biggie Smalls: “More money, more problems.” Pastor Allen translated that to ministry as “More people, more problems.”

Preaching from Matthew 9:35–38 and John 4:34–38, he emphasized that while salvation was being poured out, there was a deepening need for workers to care for the growing number of new believers. He confessed that his own prayer life changed—from simply asking God to save souls, to pleading for laborers to disciple them.

Pastor Allen pointed to the early Church in Acts 2:40–47 and Acts 4:1–4, where the apostles experienced explosive growth—3,000 souls saved on Pentecost and 5,000 more soon after. But this growth brought challenges: favoritism, divisions, family issues, financial burdens, building concerns, and a shortage of volunteers.

The early Church responded in Acts 6:1–6 by appointing leaders—men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom—to serve and address disputes like the neglect of Hellenistic widows. These qualifications, Pastor Allen noted, remain vital for today’s ministry: we need Spirit-filled, wise, and loving servants.

Pastor Allen encouraged the congregation to pray for workers in God’s harvest field who reflect the character and power of Jesus. He shared ten specific areas of prayer: that workers be Spirit-filled (Acts 2:4), full of wisdom (James 1:5), love one another (John 13:34–35), have compassion for the lost (Matthew 9:36), serve without complaining (Philippians 2:14–15), remain faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2), endure hardship (Philippians 4:13), be willing to sacrifice (John 15:13), be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14), and operate in His power (Acts 1:8).

As Pastor Allen concluded, he reminded us that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. The church today, just like in the book of Acts, needs men and women who will rise up, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to care for God’s people with wisdom, love, and endurance.

This sermon was presented by Pastor Allen Victor at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville.

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