Forecasting Hope: Young Adults Lead Evangelistic Series at Nashville First

An evangelistic series planned and led by young adults began Thursday, July 10, at the Nashville First Church, Tenn., with the goal of reaching millennials and Gen Z with messages of hope and prophecy.

Titled Forecasting Hope: Prophecies of the Second Coming, the month-long series is scheduled to run through August 9, with meetings held Thursdays through Sundays at 7:00 p.m., including additional Saturday morning services on select weekends.

Unlike most traditional evangelistic efforts, the series was both organized and preached by young adults from the church’s young adult ministry.

“Our generation is searching for something deeper, especially in times like these,” said Ariana Mercado, one of the speakers and the newly appointed leader of the young adult ministry in the Nashville First Church. “This series is about showing them that hope still exists, even when the world feels chaotic”

The idea originated with the church pastor, Nelson Mercado, after witnessing the effectiveness of young adult preachers from Nashville First Church during mission trips to Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. Sponsored by the church, these young adults, including the speakers featured in the current series, preached abroad as part of international evangelistic efforts. Inspired by their impact abroad, Nelson encouraged them to bring that same energy and message to their local community.

“We saw dozens choose baptism when we went to these different countries,” said Avion Johnson, a longtime member of the Nashville First Church and one of the main speakers. “But we realized there’s a need for that same message right here in our own communities People in our age group are struggling. They’re looking for answers. This series is our way of reaching out and saying, ‘You’re not alone.’”

The series centers on themes from the book of Revelation but from the perspective of younger generations, exploring how prophetic messages relate to modern societal issues and anxieties. Speakers rotate throughout the month, allowing each preacher time to rest and assist in other aspects of the program, such as hospitality, music, and logistics.

Organizers emphasized that the event also served as a platform to strengthen the church’s young adult community and create space for peer-led spiritual dialogue. Volunteers from the young adult ministry handled registration, emcee duties, and welcoming responsibilities. A concurrent children’s program, led by the church’s children’s ministry team, was also launched to allow young parents to attend the event.

“So many churches lose their young adults because they’re not given a role,” Ariana said. “Here, we’re trusted. We’re supported. And that makes all the difference. We are not the church of tomorrow; we are the church of today.”

The church encouraged the local community to attend future sessions. Admission is free and open to all.