Join pastors and laity from Wesleyan-tradition faith communities as they discuss what the word "evangelism" really means and how they are putting it into practice in their churches and communities. We talk about what works and what doesn't, sharing plenty of personal experiences and examples of drawing closer to God and letting the Great Commission inform our lives and relationships with others.
The Foundation for Evangelism's (https://foundationforevangelism.org) President, Rev. Dr. Jack Jackson, gave the sermon as Lake Junaluska's Theologian in Resident on July 6. His message is a reminder that Testimony - sharing our stories of how God has moved and is moving in our lives - is important. Equally important is the opportunity for people to hear God's story. His sermon kicked off a 4-day series on Dr. Jackson's R.E.V.E.A.L. faith sharing workshop and was part of the Theologian in Residence Program hosted annually trhoughout the summer by Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.
12 Aug 2025
Recap of 2024 Grants Panel
7 Aug 2025
Avoiding Burnout - 2023 Equipping the Local Church Grant Panel
Pastors Jerry Lee Christian (Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Mary Beth Eberle (Grace United Methodist Church) and Jeremy Reese (Aiken Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene) share how they avoid burnout as pastors and receive care from their congregations.
5 Aug 2025
Engaging Youth - 2023 Equipping the Local Church Grant Panel
Pastors Jerry Lee Christian (Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Mary Beth Eberle (Grace United Methodist Church) and Jeremy Reese (Aiken Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene) discuss how they see youth in their congregations becoming excited and engaged.
31 Jul 2025
Embracing The Marginalized - 2023 Equipping the Local Church Grant Panel
Pastors Jerry Lee Christian (Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Mary Beth Eberle (Grace United Methodist Church) and Jeremy Reese (Aiken Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene) discuss the ways in which their congregations have been open to those on the margins in their community.
29 Jul 2025
Measuring Transformation - 2023 Equipping the Local Church Grant Panel
Pastors Jerry Lee Christian (Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Mary Beth Eberle (Grace United Methodist Church) and Jeremy Reese (Aiken Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene) discuss how they are measuring impact from their churches' Equipping the Local Church Grant projects.
24 Jul 2025
Community Transformation - 2023 Equipping the Local Church Grant Panel
Pastors Jerry Lee Christian (Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Mary Beth Eberle (Grace United Methodist Church) and Jeremy Reese (Aiken Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene) discuss how they have seen transformation and new connections with their community through their churches' Equipping the Local Church Grant projects
22 Jul 2025
Challenges and Surprises - 2023 Equipping the Local Church Grant Panel
Pastors Jerry Lee Christian (Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Mary Beth Eberle (Grace United Methodist Church) and Jeremy Reese (Aiken Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene) share what have been their challenges and what has surprised them throughout their churches' Equipping the Local Church Grant projects.
17 Jul 2025
Laity Engagement - 2023 Equipping the Local Church Grant Panel
Pastors Jerry Lee Christian (Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Mary Beth Eberle (Grace United Methodist Church) and Jeremy Reese (Aiken Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene) discuss how they engage the laity in their congregation for their churches' Equipping the Local Church Grant projects
15 Jul 2025
Listening to Community Needs - 2023 Equipping the Local Church Grant Panel
Pastors Jerry Lee Christian (Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Mary Beth Eberle (Grace United Methodist Church) and Jeremy Reese (Aiken Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene) discuss how they went about listening to the needs of their community before applying for an Equipping the Local Church Grant.
15 Feb 2024
2024 State of the Foundation
On the 75th anniversary of The Foundation for Evangelism's beginning, President Jane Boatwright Wood celebrates its visionary founders and the foundation's work over 3/4 of a century. Join her as she talks about the Foundation's grant work - past, present and get a glimpse into grant partnerships on the horizon.
To learn more about the Foundation's 75th year and to register for our big anniversary celebration in November and the events leading up to it visit https://foundationforevangelism.org/75years.
CREDITS
Music credit Bensound – Once Again
Royalty Free Music: https://www.bensound.com
License code: 6BX6O5UYOTI9YKHZ
Interviews credit Alex Schwindt Media https://alexschwidnt.com:
Intro video, Evangelism definition, Rev. Dr. Alma Tinoco Ruiz, Duke Divinity School's Hispanic House of Study, Grace Church Raleigh
30 May 2023
Part 3 - Moving Church From Preservation to Connection
Part 3 of this 3-part series focuses on getting to know your neighbors and making meaningful connections with those in the community, and inviting them into the life and ministry of God's people. Dr. Bryan Stone (E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Boston University School of Theology) and Rev. Gary Reynolds tell about real-life encounters and share ideas on how a church can be present to those in their neighborhood and community. Stone shares from his research published in "Finding Faith Today" and Dr. Stephen Gunter facilitates.
24 May 2023
Part 2 - Moving Church From Preservation to Connection
Part 2 of this 3-part series focuses on becoming a community mission focused church and planning for those who are not here yet. Dr. Bryan Stone (E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Boston University School of Theology) and Rev. Gary Reynolds talk through the process of working with the church to see its growth areas and play to its strengths, both inside and outside the church walls. Stone shares from his research published in "Finding Faith Today" and Dr. Stephen Gunter facilitates.
23 May 2023
Part 1 - Moving Church From Preservation to Connection
Part 1 of this 3-part series discusses the context of a particular established church that is working to be more community mission and evangelism focused. Rev. Gary Reynolds describes the church's strengths and growth-areas while Dr. Bryan Stone (E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Boston University School of Theology) shares from his research published in "Finding Faith Today" and Dr. Stephen Gunter facilitates.
15 Apr 2021
What is Evangelism?
Pastors and laity in the Nashville, Tenn. area unpack some of the "baggage" associated with the word evangelism, and also talk about what evangelism looks like in current times. This group included both small and large churches as well as a mixture of pastors and lay people.
21 Dec 2020
Connect Newcomers to the Faith
Pastors and laity in the Nashville, Tenn. area discuss helping newcomers to the faith connect on the path of discipleship and faith formation. This group included both small and large churches as well as a mixture of pastors and lay people.
10 Aug 2020
Cultivate a Culture of Silence and Listening
Rev. Nicole Jones and Pastor Joe Schonewolf from the Smoky Mountain District of The United Methodist Church talk about cultivating a culture of silence and listening in their congregations. Recorded at the beginning of Lent in 2020, the episode mentions this particular time of the Christian year, but the ideas and concepts have relevance at any time of the year.
8 Aug 2020
Welcome to Catalyst Conversations
Catalyst Conversations is a Podcast by The Foundation for Evangelism where we talk with pastors and lay people in the Wesleyan tradition about what evangelism is, harkening back to the original Greek meaning of the word - "bringer of Good News." Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
For more resources including videos, webinars, and study guides, visit foundationforevangelism.org.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact Catalyst Conversations Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Catalyst Conversations Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
