Living Out the Call to Serve: Evangelization, Catechesis, and Acts of Service
At the heart of every mission is a deep desire to live out Jesus’s Great Commission. When He said, “Go out and make disciples!” He wasn’t just speaking to a select few; He was calling every baptized person to step out in faith and share His love with the world. But how do we do that? At SOLT Family Mission Experience, we serve in three key ways: evangelization, catechesis, and acts of service. Each family member plays a unique role in spreading the Gospel and transforming lives.
Evangelization: Authentic Encounters with Christ’s Love Evangelization is all about relational ministry—genuine, heart-to-heart connections that bring others into the love of Jesus. Missions are an opportunity to authentically encounter people where they are, whether that’s through door-to-door ministry, visiting the sick, sharing personal testimonies, or preaching the Gospel message. Each encounter provides a unique opportunity to shine the light of Christ to those in need.
These moments of sharing the faith can take place in a variety of settings: parishes, schools, rural communities, or bustling urban centers. Teams may help host events to invite people to a deeper relationship with Christ, and prayer is at the core of it all. Praying together as families and as a team forms the backbone of these evangelization-focused missions, uniting everyone in a shared purpose to spread the Good News.
Catechesis: Nourishing the Hungry Hearts The Catholic faith is a treasure trove of richness, beauty, and truth that the world is desperately hungry for. We strive to meet this hunger by equipping mission teams to share Catholic teachings and formation with those we encounter. Whether it's through facilitating faith-based sports camps for children, organizing vacation Bible schools, hosting a teaching series at the mission parish, or sharing the faith during door-to-door ministry, every experience is a chance to bring others closer to God.
Our teams collaborate closely with the local SOLT community, providing a welcoming way for people to come to know and understand God through the Catholic faith. Catechesis is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about leading others to a lived experience of God’s love. Praying together and entering into the sacramental life as families and teams form the foundation for this fruitful work.
Acts of Service: Living Out Christ’s Command In Matthew 25, Jesus makes it clear: feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned and the sick. Every day on mission, there are countless opportunities to love and serve Jesus in those who are poor and in need. Teams may visit people in their homes, provide material goods, and reach out to isolated members of the community. Every mission, and every person encountered, presents a unique opportunity to live out this Gospel passage in a tangible way.
Preparation for Mission: Prayerful Planning and Formation
Preparation for mission is an exciting and intentional process. Teams participate in planning calls to understand what will be happening at the mission site during their scheduled dates. This helps with coordination and discerning how each team member’s unique gifts and talents can best serve on mission. Spiritual and practical formation is provided to help families learn skills like sharing a testimony, offering teachings, or praying with someone who is suffering. Every preparation step is rooted in prayer and reflection.
Participation on Mission: Finding Your Role The beauty of mission work is that it involves every age and ability. Each member of the team has a vital role to play, and preparation looks a little different depending on where you are in life:
Adults/Young Adults (18-25): As the older members of the team, you’ll help guide and mentor the younger participants in discovering their gifts and how they can offer them on mission. You’ll work closely with the mission lead to plan outreaches that fit your team’s demographic and timing. Being prepared to pray with others and share a message—whether to a household or a larger group—is key. Most importantly, you’ll model the life of prayer and formation for younger team members.
Teens (13-18): Engage in formation exercises prior to the mission, and explore the gifts God has given you to share. Prepare to give your testimony and simply share the Gospel. Learn how to pray with and over others, and be ready to be a role model for the younger team members.
Children (7-13): Participate in formation exercises to discover the gifts God wants you to share. If you’re comfortable, learn how to give a testimony and share a simple Gospel message. Assist older team members in preparing events, and be a role model for the younger participants.
Younger Children (6 and under): The little ones have an important role, too! Younger children are encouraged to participate in whatever capacity their parents feel is right. They bring a beautiful witness of love just by being present and have hearts that absorb all they observe throughout the mission.
No matter what stage of life you’re in, there’s a place for you in mission. Whether it’s evangelizing through relationships, teaching others about the Catholic faith, or living out acts of service, every moment on mission is an opportunity to share Christ’s love and answer His call to “go out and make disciples!”
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