Diocese of/de Pembroke

Evangelization is not primarily about doctrine or programs—it is about helping people encounter a living Person: Jesus Christ. To evangelize is to help others want Christ in their lives, not out of obligation or fear, but out of love, longing, and trust. It is to awaken in hearts the desire to walk daily with Him, to let Him be their holy and everyday companion, their friend and Saviour.

This is the heart of the Gospel: God seeks intimacy with each soul. From the very first pages of Scripture, we see a God who walks with humanity in the garden (Genesis 3:8), and in the fullness of time, becomes one of us (John 1:14), not just to save us, but to dwell with us. Evangelization, then, is inviting people into that companionship—a communion of love that changes everything.

Christ’s Invitation: Come and See

In the Gospels, Jesus’ invitation is simple yet profound: “Come and see” (John 1:39). He does not begin with a demand but with an invitation to relationship. The evangelizer’s first task is to reflect that same tenderness, offering Christ as a Friend to encounter. Jesus does not wait for people to be worthy, but offers Himself to all.

Evangelization must reflect this divine generosity. Our mission is to help people realize they are already greatly desired by God and to open the door of their hearts to His presence and His friendship. Jesus does not impose Himself; He knocks (Revelation 3:20). But someone must help others hear that knock. That is the evangelizer’s role.

Healing Desire: From Knowing About to Loving

In a world marked by distraction and spiritual amnesia, many people no longer know what they long for. Their hearts are restless, but they cannot name the hunger. Evangelization, rooted in love and prayer, reveals that the deepest longing of the human heart is not for success or comfort, but for communion with Christ. 

When we witness to the love of Christ in our lives, especially through our peace, forgiveness, and trust in trials, we awaken curiosity in others. They begin to wonder: “What if this Jesus is real? What if I could be loved like that too?” This is evangelization—helping people move from knowing about Christ to wanting Him.

Evangelization Is Spiritual Accompaniment

Helping people desire Christ also means walking with them patiently. The Church calls this accompaniment: a long-term commitment to journeying with others in their struggles and questions. Pope Francis describes this in Evangelii Gaudium: “Evangelization consists mostly of patience and disregard for constraints of time” (§24). 

To accompany someone spiritually is to be a witness to the patience and mercy of Christ. It is to be a living icon of His companionship, helping others realize that holiness is not about perfection but about surrender. 

Christ as Companion: Both Holy and Everyday

One of the greatest misunderstandings in modern culture is the separation between the sacred and the ordinary. Evangelization reclaims the truth that Jesus is not only Lord of the sanctuary but of the kitchen, the commute, and the workplace. He wants to be our companion in all things—not just in our prayers, but in our daily lives.

To evangelize is to help others see that there is no part of their day or heart that Jesus does not care about. Ultimately, the goal is not to make Jesus part of our life, but to help Him become our life.

A Mission of Love

Evangelization must always be rooted in love—God’s love for us and our love for others. This is the Gospel we are called to share: a love that does not condemn, but invites; a love that does not manipulate, but frees.

Let us then be evangelizers who awaken desire, who point not to ourselves but to the One who is Peace, Love, and Mercy. Let us help others want to know Him, welcome Him, and walk with Him daily—not as a far-off God, but as their closest and loving companion.