This year, we’re not gathering in one place. We’re gathering everywhere.

For years, Come to the Altar has gathered the Church as one on Pentecost Sunday, humbling ourselves in repentance, unity, and prayer for a fresh move of God.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

In 2026, we are keeping the heart, while changing the form.

As Philadelphia prepares to welcome the world, we are inviting churches across PA, NJ, and Delaware to gather locally during Pentecost Weekend, and then move from the altar to the streets.

This is a unique year for a unique moment.
The Church is not just gathering. The Church is being sent.

THE ASK

RETURN TO THE ALTAR

GATHER

We are inviting pastors and church leaders to host a local prayer gathering during Pentecost Weekend (Friday, Saturday, or Pentecost Sunday).

This can look however best serves your congregation:

In your own church
With neighboring churches
In any format that fits your community

The heart remains the same:
Prayer centered on repentance, unity, and a fresh move of God, for our churches and our city/region.

MOVE

FROM THE ALTAR TO THE STREETS

Prayer-Centered Presence

Prayer walks near venues or transit hubs
Prayer tents offering encouragement and listening

Hospitality & Service

Water/snacks for families
Rest stations (shade, seating, water)

Local Expression

Serve your own neighborhood
Partner near citywide events

Regional Expression

Cover the city in prayer
Volunteer alongside city churches
Financially support Gospel-centered outreach

TELL US YOUR MOVEMENT

Let us know how your church is gathering and moving.

We want to witness and share how the Body of Christ is coming together across the Tri-State to love and reach those coming into our city.

The Purpose

Why Come To The Altar

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

We are the Church!

As the Church we are God’s house. The Spirit of God graciously filled his temple at Pentecost to live among us and lead us. This Pentecost Christ-followers from across the Tri-State Area are gathering in Philadelphia to ask for a mighty move of God right now!

When the diverse Body of Christ comes together in love and prayer we are able to learn and experience more of Jesus together, and we tend to see God respond with amazing answers to our prayers. Let’s Come to the Altar together on Pentecost Sunday: “Holy Spirit move in our hearts and produce your fruit in our lives!”

What is Pentecost?

Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, He instructed his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the power of the Holy Spirit. For ten days, a diverse group of 120 gathered at the altar of the Lord in the Upper Room. There, they laid down their differences, agendas, failures and grievances until they came into one accord. When the day of Pentecost had fully come, fire fell upon those assembled at this altar as the Holy Spirit filled the living sacrifices. Those who had previously denied Jesus became bold witnesses to Him, and unification lead to multiplication as 3,000 were added to the Church.

Jesus’ invitation to the altar of the Upper Room extends to us today. If we will humble ourselves, and lean into His Spirit, He will unify us, and give us power to be His witnesses that turn our communities upside down. Join believers from all over the Tri-State area in Philadelphia on Pentecost Sunday as together, we respond to this call to seek an outpouring of His Spirit through prayer and repentance at the altar.

Pentecost is the moment when God’s glory filled his temple, the Church. The Spirit came to live among us and lead us. We are gathering in Philadelphia to ask for a mighty move of God right now!

What are we praying for?

In a time of cultural division, unrest, and confusion, it is vital that the Church comes together with unified hearts to seek the Lord in prayer. We are coming to ask the Holy Spirit to bring us to repentance, to bring us to a place of unity, and to bring about a great move of revival in the Church and gospel awakening in our region.

What should I expect?

This will not largely be about prayer from the stage. This will be a day for prayer from the chairs. There will be individual times of quiet reflection and personal prayer, prayer huddles, prayers in groups, and corporate prayer altogether. Worship and scripture will frame our times of prayer throughout the evening.”

Why the Altar?

There was an old testament altar. For us as New Testament People of God there is also an altar. It is the cross of Jesus. We come together at that altar confessing our brokenness, praising God for his mercy, and asking for the power of the Gospel to break out among us bringing healing to relationships, unity to God’s people, and homecoming to the lost and wandering.