The Making Disciples Today Blog has reflections to help you grow in your journey of missionary discipleship, reviews on recommended Catholic evangelization resources, and practical insight on how to evangelize in your daily life.
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- Written by: Burning Hearts Disciples Team
Evangelization does not require a stage, a program, or a confrontation. Catholics can name Jesus, share what he has done, and respond to ordinary questions about faith without turning every conversation into a debate.
Many Catholics hear the word evangelization and picture strangers knocking on doors, handing out religious tracts, or confronting people in public. But evangelization begins much closer to home: in ordinary relationships and conversations where Jesus can be named personally and the Gospel can be heard as good news.
In this talk, Kristin Bird explains how everyday Catholics can participate in evangelization without pretending to be theologians, street preachers, or someone they are not.
Evangelization is not reserved for the few; it's a call to all of us who follow Christ. By living as testimonies of His love and sharing our personal encounters with Jesus, we participate in the Church's mission to evangelize – a mission rooted in love, aimed at communion, and open to all.
We invite you to watch the video, reflect on your journey with Jesus, and consider how you might share the Good News through your everyday interactions. Let's embrace the call to evangelize, not as a burden but as a joyful sharing of the love that has transformed our lives.
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What Is Evangelization?
Evangelization is proclaiming the Good News in word and deed so that others can encounter Jesus Christ, receive the love and mercy of God, and respond to his invitation to follow him.
That means Christian witness cannot remain entirely silent. The way we live matters, but at some point the source of that life must be named: Jesus Christ.
Begin With the Person of Jesus
When someone raises a difficult question about Catholic teaching, our first instinct may be to explain or defend the doctrine. Sometimes that explanation is necessary. But if the person does not yet know Jesus, information alone cannot create the relationship to which the teaching points.
Christianity does not discard doctrine. It recognizes that doctrine serves communion with a person. The goal of catechesis, as St. John Paul II taught, is intimacy and communion with Jesus Christ.
Know What Jesus Has Done in Your Life
One of the most natural ways to speak about Jesus is to speak about him as someone you actually know. Where have you encountered him? When have you received his mercy? What has changed because of your relationship with him?
Your story does not need to be dramatic. It needs to be honest, personal, and responsive to the person in front of you.
For help recognizing and sharing that story, visit the Power of Story hub.
Evangelization in Ordinary Conversation
Everyday evangelization can be as simple as naming where you recognized God’s presence, explaining why your relationship with Jesus matters to you, or answering a difficult question by sharing what has sustained you when following him has been costly.
The goal is not to force Jesus into every conversation. It is to become attentive enough to recognize when the Holy Spirit has already opened a door.
If you recognize an opening but struggle to find words, Kerygma in Your Own Words can help you prepare. Practice naming what Jesus has done and the relationship he offers, with someone you know in mind. In the conversation itself, listen and let what the person shares guide your response.
The Holy Spirit Is the Primary Evangelizer
Evangelization is not finally produced by the right technique. Our responsibility is to listen, cooperate, speak truthfully, and remain attentive to the person before us. The conversion of another person is the work of the Holy Spirit.
For a fuller understanding of the Gospel being proclaimed, begin with What Is the Kerygma?
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- Written by: Kristin Bird
It was an absolute joy to sit down with Miriam Marston at Mater Dei Radio for her Blazing the Trail podcast series. I had the privilege of sharing our journey and mission with a wider audience, and particularly sharing some of what we're seeing in our accompaniment work with parishes, dioceses, and Catholic schools around the country.
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- Written by: Burning Hearts Team
As we enter the solemn season of Lent, marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we turn our hearts and minds toward deeper spiritual reflection and renewal. For those of us doing the work of evangelization, discipleship, and accompaniment in our lives and ministries, Lent offers a unique opportunity to prune the efforts and areas of our hearts that are not bearing fruit so that we can ultimately be even more fruitful (John 15:1-8).
Fasting Can Supercharge Evangelization Efforts
Fasting is one of the most ancient practices of our faith. It is referenced throughout Scripture and the writings of the Church as a means by which we fight temptation, strengthen our will, and rely on Jesus more deeply. It's an essential practice in the life of a missionary disciple.
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- Written by: Kristin Bird
As we enter the solemn season of Lent, marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we turn our hearts and minds toward deeper spiritual reflection and renewal. For those of us doing the work of evangelization, discipleship, and accompaniment in our lives and ministries, Lent offers a unique opportunity to prune the efforts and areas of our hearts that are not bearing fruit so that we can ultimately be even more fruitful (John 15:1-8).
All Fruitful Evangelization Flows From Prayer
Effective evangelization flows from a deep relationship with God. Prayer helps open our hearts and minds to receive the love of God and allows us to be filled with the grace that God abundantly pours out upon us.
