Summit explores a gap in traditional mission models

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Hundreds of Catholics gathered in Ottawa, May 12 and 13, for a summit exploring “new evangelization”. The annual event aims to help inspire devout believers to begin evangelizing those around them.

“Most of the people who come are faithful, devout Catholics who are open to being more engaged in evangelization, but often aren’t [evangelizing] because they are unsure of how to do it or they feel alone,” explains Michael Dopp, the Summit’s founder. “So the Summit is really meant to inspire them to take the next step.”

Following the Global Leadership Summit model, the New Evangelization Summit was also streamed live to 37 sites across North America, including one in Guatemala. In all, they had more than 2,000 people attend.

“What we promise is that people will be inspired. That’s the first step.” Photo by Aimee Rae.

Dopp says missions are traditionally divided into two categories: evangelizing unreached people groups and discipling converts. The New Evangelization Summit primarily focuses on bridging a gap between the two by inspiring attendants to reach people raised in the post-Christian Western culture.

“The term ‘new evangelization’ can be confusing because it is contrasted with an ‘old evangelization’. It means the work of evangelism directed toward those who are baptized, but not converted.”

Dopp says even within the Church there are often people who were baptized as children, but were not raised to know and love God. Outside the Church are many more who have heard pieces of the gospel and are maybe familiar with the story of Jesus, but do not understand the message of salvation.

“There is such a tremendous need now in our country and North America—a post-Christian culture—for the gospel to once more be proclaimed in a clear and articulate way. That requires a whole generation of evangelists and missionaries who are willing to do that.”

While the Summit does profile some effective programs and evangelism tools, it does not provide much in the way of training. Dopp explains that, because of time constraints, they have a second, longer program that offers more of the practical “how to” of new evangelism.

“The Summit is a great place to be surrounded by fellow comrades in the mission and be inspired to be bold in our daily lives.” Photo by Aimee Rae.

“What we promise is that people will be inspired. That’s the first step. I’m happy if someone walks away and says, ‘I’ve always known evangelizations is important, but I’ve always thought it is not for me. Now I think God wants to use me in some way.’ If they walk away with that, what generally happens is they begin to look for opportunities to learn and grow.”

That’s exactly what happened to Lisa Canning. Before attending the Summit in 2016, Canning was a passionate Catholic and she wanted to share her faith, but she did not know how.

“The New Evangelization Summit inspired me to actually evangelize; not just think about it or study it, but to actually open my mouth and share my faith with others,” she explains. “When I got home from the Summit there were two people in my life who I knew I wanted to invite into a deeper relationship with Christ.”

Canning says the Summit encouraged her, but also identified some tools and resources that helped her start reaching out.

“The Summit is a great place to be surrounded by fellow comrades in the mission and be inspired to be bold in our daily lives.”

“It is amazing to me that, as the need for evangelism has increased, we are beginning to see more and more people who are standing up and saying, ‘I want to proclaim the gospel boldly and radically,’” Dopp states. “This summit becomes a place for those people to meet others who are like minded, but more importantly to hear the voice of God in their heart, as He calls them into the mission field.”