Grace Thompson
St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) is a grassroots, non-profit organization that encourages Catholics to take to the streets and preach the Gospel to all nations. SPSE was founded in May 2012 by Steve Dawson, a convert to Catholicism, who was inspired by Mother Teresa of Calcutta's example of giving out miraculous medals. SPSE provides resources and training for Catholics to share the word of Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith with the public. SPSE teams can be found in public spaces, parish festivals, and on social media, engaging with people in a non-confrontational manner and allowing them to lead the conversation. While street evangelization may be a daunting prospect for some, SPSE's approach has proven effective, with over 450 people responding positively to the Las Vegas team in just 12 months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Evangelization Type | Street evangelization |
| Evangelization Style | Non-confrontational |
| Evangelization Methods | Door-to-door, public squares, street corners, parks, shopping areas |
| Evangelization Aids | Sandwich boards, brochures, rosaries, miraculous medals, online classes, online resources, books |
| Evangelization Teams | St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE), Ascension Press Media, Real Life Catholic |
| Evangelization Locations | U.S., Australia, Canada, Denmark, U.K., Lockport, Detroit, Boise, Cuyahoga Falls, Cornwall, Las Vegas |
| Evangelization Founders | Steve Dawson, Adam Janke |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics should evangelize
One way that Catholics can effectively evangelize is through street evangelization, such as the St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) movement. SPSE is a grassroots, non-profit organization that takes the Catholic faith to the streets, meeting people where they are and sharing the Gospel in a non-confrontational manner. This form of evangelization can help Catholics overcome their fears of sharing their faith and make it easier for them to speak about it with their loved ones.
Through street evangelization, Catholics can interact with people in public spaces, answer questions about their faith, and offer to pray with those who are interested. This approach does not involve standing on a soapbox and preaching but rather engaging in conversations led by those whom evangelizers encounter. By sharing their own experiences and hope in Jesus Christ, evangelizers can make a genuine connection with others and potentially lead them to the Catholic faith.
In addition to street evangelization, there are other ways for Catholics to evangelize in their daily lives. This includes simple acts such as wearing Catholic T-shirts in public, using social media to share favorite Bible verses, and making the Bible and rosary accessible to family members. By incorporating these practices into their lives, Catholics can subtly yet effectively spread the word of God and potentially spark interest in others to learn more about their faith.
Catholics should not be afraid to evangelize and share their faith with others. By doing so, they can fulfill their mission from God and bring more souls to Christ. Through street evangelization and other methods, Catholics can make a positive impact on the world and contribute to the growth of the Catholic community.
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St. Paul Street Evangelization
SPSE has teams all over the United States and the world, including in Detroit, Boise, Cornwall, Lockport, Cuyahoga Falls, and Warren, among other places. These teams often evangelize in areas with lots of foot traffic or do door-to-door ministry in rural areas or wherever pastors request it. They make themselves available to the public to answer questions about the Catholic faith and to pray with those who wish to.
The St. Paul School of Evangelization is the educational arm of SPSE. It offers online classes and resources to train, equip, and mobilize Catholics for the work of evangelization, particularly the proclamation of the Gospel in public spaces. SPSE strives to make these resources low-cost or free, with significant discounts for St. Paul Society Members.
SPSE's approach to evangelization is unique and differs from that of other religious groups. Instead of standing on a soapbox and leading the conversation, SPSE evangelists interact with people in a non-confrontational manner and let them lead the conversation. This approach has yielded remarkable results, drawing people to the Catholic faith even when they had little prior interest in religion.
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Catholics' fear of evangelizing
Catholics often fear evangelizing, and this fear is very real and present in most of them. They are afraid to talk about their faith in public, at work, or even at parish functions. This fear can be attributed to the idea of "going forth and making disciples of all nations," which can be daunting for many Catholics. However, it is important to recognize that evangelization is a crucial part of the Catholic faith and that there are ways to overcome this fear.
One of the main reasons Catholics fear evangelizing is the worry of being labeled as "annoying" or coming across as pushy when talking about their faith with others. They don't want to impose their beliefs on others or be seen as proselytizing. However, street evangelization groups, such as St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE), emphasize the importance of non-confrontational and authentic interactions. SPSE, a grassroots, non-profit organization, encourages Catholics to meet people where they are and share the Gospel in a simple and non-confrontational manner. This approach allows individuals to lead the conversation and ask questions about the faith, rather than being preached at.
Another reason for the fear of evangelizing may be a lack of knowledge or confidence in their understanding of the faith. Catholics may feel inadequate or unprepared to answer difficult questions or address objections. To address this, SPSE and other organizations provide resources, training, and support to help Catholics feel equipped and empowered to share their faith. These resources include books, online classes, and in-person teams that offer a community of like-minded individuals who can provide encouragement and guidance.
Additionally, some Catholics may fear rejection or negative reactions when sharing their faith. They may worry about how their message will be received, especially in an increasingly secular society. However, street evangelization groups have found success by focusing on sharing their personal experiences and the hope they have found in Jesus Christ. By being authentic and sharing from their hearts, they have seen positive responses and have helped people return to the Catholic faith.
Lastly, the fear of evangelizing may also stem from a misunderstanding of what evangelization entails. Many Catholics may not know what their role is in the New Evangelization proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. It is important for Catholics to understand that evangelization is not just about door-to-door preaching or standing on a soapbox. It can be as simple as wearing Catholic t-shirts in public, sharing their favorite Bible verses on social media, or offering to teach a class at their parish. By incorporating these small acts into their daily lives, Catholics can overcome their fear of evangelizing and share their faith effectively.
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Street evangelization's non-confrontational approach
Catholics are often afraid to talk about their faith in public, at work, or even at parish functions. Street evangelization is a way to get past that fear and share the Gospel with people they encounter. St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) is a grassroots, non-profit organization that takes a non-confrontational approach to evangelization. SPSE teams do not stand on a soapbox and scream at people; instead, they interact with people in a non-confrontational way and let them lead the conversation.
SPSE teams usually organize loosely, sometimes through a parish or through a Catholic who is passionate about their faith. Team members agree to a code of conduct and are supplied with free materials from the national organization. They are asked not to be manipulative but to be authentic and share the love and message of Christ. They go out and evangelize in a non-confrontational manner, allowing the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of those who witness their public Catholic presence.
The teams will often pray together publicly for the Holy Spirit's guidance before they begin their work. They ask passersby if they would like a rosary and respond kindly to those who decline, telling them to "have a nice day". Evangelizers will offer further material to those who accept a rosary or show further interest, asking questions like whether they are Catholic or have considered becoming Catholic. This non-confrontational approach has been very effective, with the organization's Las Vegas team having over 450 people "respond positively" in 12 months.
SPSE provides a curated list of resources for individuals and teams who want to evangelize, tested by ordinary Catholics in the field. Their resources are low-cost or free, and they offer online classes and resources for those who want to learn more about evangelization. SPSE has seen tremendous growth and now has teams throughout the United States and the world.
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Evangelization resources
St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) is a grassroots, non-profit organization that provides resources for Catholics to engage in street evangelization. SPSE was founded in May 2012 by Steve Dawson, a convert to Catholicism, and has since grown to hundreds of teams in seven countries. The organization provides tools and training for Catholics to share the Gospel and their faith with the public in a non-confrontational manner. SPSE offers online classes, resources, and significant discounts for members of the St. Paul Society.
SPSE teams are typically loosely organized through parishes or individual Catholics passionate about their faith. Team members agree to a code of conduct and are provided with free materials, such as brochures, rosaries, and information about local Mass times and programs. They set up in public spaces, displaying a "Catholic Truth" sandwich board, and engage with passersby in a non-manipulative and authentic manner, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation.
In addition to SPSE, there are other resources available for Catholics interested in street evangelization. "Catholic Street Evangelization: Stories of Conversion and Witness" by Steve Dawson, Adam Janke, and others, is a book that shares inspiring stories of ordinary Catholics sharing their faith with strangers in public places. It offers a practical guide and testimonies on the need for evangelization. The book has received praise from Catholic leaders and theologians for its effectiveness in encouraging and instructing Catholics in their evangelization efforts.
Another resource is the "New Evangelization and You: Be Not Afraid," a publication by Catholic Digest that provides a year's worth of ideas for knowing, living, and sharing the Catholic faith. It suggests various practices, such as reading specific Bible books and passages, utilizing online resources, and engaging in Catholic media and merchandise to deepen one's understanding and share their faith with others.
Lastly, Chris Stefanick, founder and president of Real Life Catholic, emphasizes the importance of speaking clearly about the transformative power of Jesus in people's lives. His organization, Real Life Catholic, hosts evangelistic outreach events and aims to re-engage a generation through various media platforms.
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Frequently asked questions
St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) is a grassroots, non-profit organization, dedicated to taking the Catholic Faith to the streets. SPSE provides an avenue for people to share the Person of Jesus Christ and the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith with a hungry culture.
The mission of St. Paul Street Evangelization is to train, equip, and mobilize Catholics for the urgent work of evangelization, especially for the proclamation of the gospel in public.
St. Paul Street Evangelization was founded in May 2012 by Steve Dawson, a convert to the Catholic faith. Dawson followed Mother Teresa of Calcutta's example of giving out miraculous medals. He then decided to start handing out rosaries and medals on the boardwalk in Portland, Oregon, which was very successful. People started returning to the faith. Dawson prayed with people and talked about their faith.
The New Evangelization is a phrase first coined by Pope St. John Paul II during his historic 1979 visit to Poland. Despite its frequent use in the Catholic Church, many people don't know what it means or how to make it a part of their daily lives.
Catholic Digest is a Catholic newspaper and magazine subscription. It connects with readers through personal stories of triumphs and struggles, joys and challenges, and also the lighter side of Catholic living.
