Two-Thirds of God’s Name is Go

“Encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called ‘today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).

A few years ago, a man shared that the Church is in its “springtime”. He meant there is something big and positive happening with many of our young people who are currently being formed. They are serious about the faith, and they are finding ways to share the Gospel and are living out the Great Commission.

If we look around us, it may seem like nothing is changing—maybe more of a regression really. However, this week proved to me that what that wise man said is true.

The SEEK conference, hosted by FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), is geared to college students but is open to anyone. People of all ages and ethnicities, from many states and countries attended.

The week started with an impressive Mass, with over twenty thousand people celebrating! It was quite emotional seeing such reverence and prayerfulness.

During the week, Mass and perpetual Adoration were provided, giving opportunities to grow with the Lord. There were also keynote speakers who talked about the kerygma (the initial proclamation of the Gospel), along with clarifying that we all have a responsibility to evangelize. They emphasized that “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” 

A variety of small breakout sessions provided guidance and “tools” in evangelization—from discipleship to works of mercy to spiritual warfare. To supplement this, MANY organizations, religious orders, and institutes of higher education were represented, providing ways to carry the mission forward. This was well planned!

Our job at SEEK was to represent the need for international missionaries (singles and families). We did this by talking about the areas in the world that have yet to hear the Gospel—particularly the 10/40 window and the unreached people groups (UPG). We shared what we do as a family through Family Missions Company. 

We were also responsible for “Paco,” the stuffed donkey who came from Mexico to connect with participants at the convention. If people took a selfie with Paco, posted it, and tagged FMC, they were entered in a drawing to win a week-long mission trip to Mexico!

The speakers were amazing. Mass and Adoration were AWESOME. However, the greatest impact on us were clearly the interactive conversations we had with so many people. Every story testified to God’s faithfulness. 

One man, who was angry with God, thought faith was pointless, and thinking he was alone, had a recent accident that almost took his life. Realizing he should have been dead and that God was with him the entire time, he is restoring his relationship with God with a deeper trust and respect. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

We met a priest who heard a calling to go to the mountains where no church has ever been, and is literally building the church there (the Appalachians specifically). “Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified, says the LORD” (Hag 1:8).

One man heard the call to build better bridges between Catholic Christians and other denominations. “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Romans 14:19).

Another man was deeply impacted as he prayed the rosary for the first time. He took the advice to make his own rosary and asked for some guidance. “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9). 

There was a young lady who considered herself an atheist and questioned her purpose in life. She found those answers in Christ when a friend invited her to a Bible study. She now leads a Bible study herself and is walking with others at her school. “With gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim 2:25).

Another lady found Christ in the midst of her deepest struggles. She has decided to become a Bride of Christ. Her final vows are in August. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

We also met a lady who fell in love with Jesus while she was engaged. She ended up becoming Jesus’s bride instead and tells everyone she has no regrets. “You were chosen by God the Father long ago. He knew you were to become His children. You were set apart for holy living by the Holy Spirit. May you obey Jesus Christ and be made clean by His blood. May you be full of His loving-favor and peace” (1 Peter 1:2).

We could go on, but you get the idea. People have truly been transformed by Christ and are living testimonies of His reckless love for us. They choose to continue to die to themselves and to share Him with the world without fear. This helped us to take note that more of the Church than we realize is rustling under the dead leaves to uncover the blossoms of God’s beautiful truth, goodness, and faithfulness. 

We were deeply inspired, and we want to encourage you to share your own story of grace. Go! Have no fear! Don’t be afraid to show the beauty, truth, and goodness that can only be found in the one true God—and be open to listening in return. If there is an opportunity to grow even closer to the Lord together, do it! This is the mission of the Church. This is the evangelization that the Church is begging for us to do! This is how the cold will turn to warm! 

I’ll close with a quote from Chris Stefanick, a speaker at SEEK: “What’s on the line is that an entire world has forgotten who they are. It is losing hope. And God’s answer to that problem is YOU. And the stage is wherever you find yourself. The Church needs you. The world needs you. Two-thirds of God’s name is GO.”