Proclaim

"Evangelization will always contain - as the foundation, center, and at the same time, summit of its dynamism - a clear proclamation that, in Jesus Christ ... salvation is offered to all men, as a gift of God's grace and mercy."Pope Paul VI, On Evangelization in the Modern World

There is within each one of us an aching need for God. Every person has the right to hear the Good News of Jesus, the Christ who is Savior of all humanity and Redeemer of all that separates us from God. The Lord Jesus has mandated that through his Word and his Church that we are witnesses commissioned to give testimony to Him - who Jesus is; what Christ has accomplished; and, how we can participate.

"Before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in him; and before they can believe in him, they must hear about him; and for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them." Romans 10:14 (NCV)

Hearing the message is the beginning of conversion. The beginning of all true evangelization is the proclamation of Jesus Christ and the invitation to personal relationship with Him. If proclamation and conversion have not occurred, a person receiving catechesis is building on a faulty foundation.

Few Catholics are prepared to talk about their faith and personally share the Gospel with others. They lack the experience and formation necessary to proclaim the basic Gospel message (kerygma). Training in how to share about Jesus Christ must become a part of formation (catechesis) as well as a normal part of our world view as Catholics if we are to see the Church become a vibrant evangelical witness in our world.

In response to this need, ChristLife has produced a seven-session video course entitled, Sharing Christ. The series is designed to equip Catholics with the practical skills to proclaim the Gospel, draw others into a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior, and to invite them to become his disciples and members of the Church.

Sharing Christ consists of seven talks:

• Called to Share Christ,
• Friendship: A Way to Share Christ,
• Sharing the Journey,
• The Power to Share Christ,
• Presenting the Good News,
• By Personal Invitation,
• Missionaries - Anytime, Anywhere!

Resources for Course Administrators and Facilitators as well as Study Guides for Participants provide a turnkey resource for basic training in evangelization. It is ideal for use in small groups, parishes, seminaries, and dioceses.