Evangelize

The Church exists to evangelize. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish exists to evangelize. This is what Jesus' great commission is all about. He commands us to - in this order:

Go and make disciples
Baptize
Teach

Catholic parishes often are much more inclined to teach to people who don't believe or sacramentalize those who have no real faith. But in fact, a vibrant church community begins with us making disciples. Inviting people to encounter Jesus, rather than simply teaching about Jesus.

Through a dedicated overarching evangelization ministry, St. Thomas seeks to foster a culture of invitation throughout our Parish. It is a Holy Spirit-driven, 'seek the lost' mentality based on the simple premise:

How can I and others have a personal relationship with Jesus?
 

In a world/society where most people are not engaged in an active faith life; where culture is secularized and rising numbers are disaffiliated from their faith and where spiritual conversations and practices are not present in the home, the 'great commission' remains alive and active! And more necessary than ever before. And it is the mission we all share.

Fact is, there isn't a crisis of knowledge of the faith to pass on, but rather a crisis of desire to do so. The biggest challenge rests in the fact that too many do not value the relationship with Jesus as something truly meaningful/life altering.

The evangelization model is process-based upon the notion of family-centered, church supported..all the while instilling not just the knowledge of, but also love of and for God.

Alpha is all about evangellization. It is 
ministry-friendly in that it encourages and
welcomes the "churched," the
"un-churched" and the "de-churched."

Table leaders and dinner hosts facilitate Alpha. The team welcomes visitors, parishioners, their family members, friends and co-workers to ask their questions about life, God and faith. Those who join the Alpha team will foster important conversations in a setting that is hospitable and non-judgmental. Many discover that the Good News of Jesus Christ relates to their lives.

ALL ABOUT ALPHA