Share the Gospel with a Specific Invitation

Several people have stated, “Father, my parish wants to start a booth ministry either at our local Farmer’s Market or civic festival but I’m not sure what to say to those I encounter.  Do you have any advice?”  I always respond, “Yes , s hare the gospel with a specific invitation because sharing the gospel is the heart of evangelization! There are many ways to share the story of Jesus, but at its core, the gospel includes four main points: 

1. Every person was made for a relationship with God.

2. Sin (those times when we choose not to love God or others, as we should) creates a chasm between us and God.

3. God became human in Jesus, and he died for your sins/ my sins to repair our relationship with God.

4. Every person has the opportunity to have a relationship with God if they accept God’s invitation!

When you're gently sharing these points with a person in a conversation, without judgement or coercion, you can encourage that person to accept God’s invitation using a question like, “Would you like to invite Jesus to be the center of your life?” If they say no, let them know you are still a good person and continue to pray for them. If they say yes, celebrate and pray with them! After praying with them, invite them to join you at Mass, a retreat, a service project or somewhere else.

No one Evangelizes alone.  That is why it’s important for Churches to have a specific Evangelization vision, spearheaded by their pastor. Saint Paul writes,  “What you have heard from me…entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well” (2 Timothy 2)