Evangelization is the joyful proclamation of God’s saving love in Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. It involves bringing this good news into every human situation - through the faithful, loving witness of our lives - inviting and leading others to encounter the person of Jesus, who heals and transforms individuals, cultures, and society. It is the declaration of God’s incredible desire to be in loving relationship with every member of the human family, a relationship involving ongoing conversion from sin toward communion with God and one another.
As the central mission and identity of the Church, evangelization is not a program; rather, it is the heart of all ministries and activities in the Church. Having been baptized into Christ, we are all sent forth in the power of the Holy Spirit to evangelize, to share in the mission of Christ: seeking out the lost, the suffering, the poor, the marginalized, the broken, and the forgotten ones; meeting each person in his or her human need; and sharing the life-changing message and love of our God. This is evangelization, and it is the call and responsibility of every baptized person.*
The simplest way to say what evangelization means is to follow Pope Paul VI, whose message Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World) has inspired so much recent thought and activity in the Church. We can rephrase his words to say that evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself. At its essence are the proclamation of salvation in Jesus Christ and the response of a person in faith, which are both works of the Spirit of God. - (GMD 10)
Evangelization must always be directly connected to the Lord Jesus Christ. "There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the Kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed.” - (GMD 11)
Conversion is the change of our lives that comes about through the power of the Holy Spirit. All who accept the Gospel undergo change as we continually put on the mind of Christ by rejecting sin and becoming more faithful disciples in his Church. Unless we undergo conversion, we have not truly accepted the Gospel. - (GMD 12)
Evangelization happens when the word of Jesus speaks to people's hearts and minds. Needing no trickery or manipulation, evangelization can happen only when people accept the Gospel freely, as the "good news" it is meant to be, because of the power of the gospel message and the accompanying grace of God. - (GMD 19)
“The Church exists in order to evangelize.”
Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, No. 14
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*Archdiocese of New Orleans, Office of Evangelization
(GMD-paragraph number) Go and Make Disciples, USCCB