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Article:
FREE
TRANSLATION
What
on earth is a Catholic
Evangelist?
By Eddie Russell
FMI
A foot in the
door bible in your face unwelcome visitor calling at the
wrong time of the day to tell you that you are in the wrong
Church and going to hell unless you get a full immersion
baptism as an adult is what the word evangelist seems to
conjure up in most peoples
minds.
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Also,
the words evangelisation, evangelism, evangeliser,
evangelist all sound the same to many people who
might think they are all different expressions of
the same thing and, not very Catholic to say the
least.
Another commonly held belief is that anyone
who gives witness to and about Jesus is an
evangelist. That is a truism of course, but it is
not an accurate understanding of the work and
ministry of an evangelist. So what in the world do
we mean by the term, Catholic Evangelist and what
in the world do they do?
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An
evangelist is a specific office and charism within the
Church.
In Ephesians 4: 11-12. Saint Paul says, “And he
gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as
evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the
holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body
of Christ.” (NAB). We can see from Saint
Paul’s teaching that the work of an evangelist is a
specific ministry within the Church that also includes the
ministry of the preacher and teacher. In it he says that the
function of the fivefold ministries is to equip the holy
ones for the work of ministry which builds up the Church.
This of course includes conversions which add to its
numbers. Anyone not doing these two functions is not an
evangelist although they may well be involved in the work of
evangelisation and functioning as an evangeliser. In
addition, the ministry of the evangelist is an office, a
specific calling and a charism which should be recognised
and commissioned by the Church.
Effective
evangelisation:
We
must be convinced of our own salvation first.
Before we can be successful in our evangelisation we
need to be knowledgeable of the bible and convinced of our
own salvation in order to give an effective witness to the
saving grace of Jesus Christ to unbelievers. If we have any
doubts at all people will pick it up and reject our witness
as empty doctrine. If we are not properly informed we will
be tempted to give our own opinions or personal theologies
and both will invalidate our witness. This will be
especially so if the one we are evangelising is
fundamentalist bible believing Christian, a cultist or one
who simply asks the difficult questions.
Those involved in the New-age Movement are usually
aware of the bible, Jesus, the Christ or god. If we lack in
our definitive understanding of what the true God of the
bible has revealed about Jesus, we will fail to convince
even the most ignorant new-ager or skeptic. To this end, the
work of an evangelist has two major functions: Instructing
Christians in the Word of God in line with the teachings of
the Church and bringing unbelievers and nominal Christians
to conversion.
In
the area of instruction and evangelisation,
Flame
Ministries International was founded in 1990 under
Archbishop Foley to meet the specific needs of the New
Evangelisation in line with
the
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spirit
of Ad Gentes, Dei Verbum, Christafidelis Laici and
Evangelii Nuntiandi which also included bringing
disenfranchised Catholics back to the Mass and the
Sacraments. In 1996 Flame Ministries International
was
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granted canonical recognition as an ‘association of
Christ’s faithful’ (Canon 301) entitled to
use the name “Catholic” (Canon 300).
Commissioned by Archbishop Hickey as "Catholic
Evangelists", Eddie Russell and Steve Peake are the only
Officially Recognised Evangelists in FMI. The other twenty
members assist in the ministry by performing many practical
and ministerial functions. [About
FMI]
A
formal recognition for FMI.
Unless formally commissioned by a bishop, it is
likely that many using the title of catholic evangelist when
referring to their ministry, are not in reality Evangelists
in terms of the office or ecclesial appointment. They use
the title because they evangelize either by personal
testimony or do the work of an evangelist in the area of
preaching, or, as many would say, give talks. The title
'Evangelist" is both functionary as well as an "office." To
function as an Evangelist or to use the title does not mean
that the person is an Evangelists in regards to the
ministerial office that is officially recognized, appointed
or commissioned by the Church whether lay or otherwise. In
the case of Flame Ministries International, the Evangelists
were Appointed and Commissioned by Archbishop Barry James
Hickey through the Laying on of Hands. This was later
repeated with vows of obedience in a public ceremony for
that purpose by Bishop Healy and this is universally
recognized by all Catholic Bishops.
Flame:
Equipping
the saints for the work of the
ministry.
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In
the area of ‘equipping the saints’ as
Saint Paul puts it, the Set
My People On Fire
seminars which have been conducted in Perth twice a
year since 1990 and in 1994 in Peterborough and
Birmingham in England, have been the major ongoing
outreach of FMI in the formation and
re-evangelisation of Catholics as well as achieving
many conversions to the Catholic Faith in
Australia, Singapore, Malaysia,
Indonesia,
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Uganda, Mexico, England, Portugal and the USA. Many
parish missions, revival rallies and evangelistic outreach
missions have also been successfully conducted in these
countries. Set My People on Fire as well as Flame Days are
conducted throughout England, Scotland and Portugal by FMI's
evangelist in the UK, Mr. Derek Williams.
Saint Jerome said that, “Ignorance of the Bible is
ignorance of Christ”.
These in-depth Bible seminars therefore have a threefold
function for effective evangelisation. Firstly, they
introduce people to a fuller knowledge of the Trinity
through the Word of God, encouraging participants to accept
Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and to be open to the
direct action of the Holy Spirit as it was experienced at
the first Pentecost. (The consequence of which was the
conversion of thousands and the birth of the Church).
Secondly, they instruct participants in subjects that
give a solid formation in the Word of God that builds their
personal esteem and scriptural knowledge. Thirdly, they
equip participants in the practical work of evangelisation
wherever they are called to be a witness to their faith.
Each five week segment is joined by three full weekends that
allow key bible subjects to be examined and understood in
greater depth. The seminars follow a simple threefold
formula; they equip, build and send forth. With a balanced
enthusiasm to set God’s people on fire for the Gospel
and a greater ability to combat fundamentalist errors, the
participants can become more effective evangelisers in the
parishes and groups to which they belong.
There
are many ministries involved in the work of
evangelisation.
However, many of them evangelise into themselves and
seek to make people members of their own group. Unlike those
ministries FMI does not evangelise into itself, but into the
Church. The role of the evangelist is to make people members
of the local Church and not members of their own ministry.
Therefore, like Jesus, we are small in numbers.
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Jesus
and his disciples is the model we follow.
To understand the different roles of the
evangeliser and the evangelist; preacher, and
teacher we could take our model from Jesus and his
disciples. It was Jesus practice to send his
disciples ahead of him when he was planning to
minister in a particular place. The disciples would
arrive some days earlier and tell the people
what Jesus had said and done in the other towns and
area he had visited. They would testify that he was
the messiah by the works and messages that they had
witnessed. They told the people when and where
Jesus would be when he arrived and encouraged them
to be there to hear his message. When Jesus arrived
the people were
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gathered in anticipation. When the time was right Jesus
would.proclaim the Kingdom to them and invite them in. Jesus
didn't try to be popular but effective and this gained
acceptance as well as rejection, especially from the
priests.
In
these two roles we see that the disciples were the
evangelisers and Jesus was the evangelist:
The
role of the evangeliser was to bring the people to the
evangelist. The evangelist’s role was to proclaim the
Gospel and bring the people into the Kingdom. Jesus as the
evangelist was also the preacher and teacher. He then sent
the people to the priests (pastors) for their ongoing
nurture and then he moved on to gather more sheep into the
fold.
Evangelists
can seem to be irresponsible
people.
The priests of Jesus day (pastors) didn't like
the way he stirred up the people and then moved on to
somewhere else, and so they considered him an irresponsible
and dangerous upstart. Nothing much has changed today. Many
leaders still consider evangelists to be irresponsible
people because they come into the church, parish or the
group, stir up the people's faith and leave them to deal
with it. In the past we have been asked by Charismatic
Renewal leaders, “What are you doing about
follow-up?” Our answer is usually a polite, somewhat
cheeky, “Nothing”. Why? Because it is the role of
leaders and pastors to provide ongoing follow-up, not the
evangelist. If anyone leaves the Church or the group after
the evangelist has called them to a commitment to Christ,
then it is not the fault of the evangelist who brought them
in, but rather those responsible for their ongoing
formation, growth and participation in the community.
The
ministry and role of the evangelist is itinerant by its
nature.
The ministry and role of the evangelist is to
proclaim the Gospel, bring the people to accept their
salvation through Jesus Christ, empower them by the Holy
Spirit and hand them on the pastor for their ongoing nurture
and instruction in the believing community where they live.
Therefore, the evangelist’s ministry is itinerant by
its nature and so he moves on to bring in more of the
harvest. Thus the process of evangelisation, equipping and
growth continues for the building up of the body of Christ.
Of course, the evangelist will return as many times as they
are welcomed. When they do return, they will inspire the
people again by encouraging and teaching them to stay
committed to their community and faith in Jesus Christ. To
assist in this FMI also have around sixteen seminars
and follow up programs which can also be adapted to suit the
specific needs of the people, parish, group or church.
A
visiting evangelist can be a breath of fresh air for the
pastor and his flock.
The pastor spends a lot of time with the people often
giving homilies every week. After a while the people become
too familiar with him and close off. The evangelist can be a
breath of fresh air for the people and can usually say
things and cover topics that the pastor dare not lest he be
rejected. Pastors that understand the value of a visiting
evangelist will use them to attract new members and inspire
their congregations.
To this end, Flame Ministries International write,
conduct and preach various bible seminars, evangelistic
revival rallies, parish missions, youth ministry, family
concerts, theatre arts, family counseling, school missions
and conferences in and for, both Catholic and non-Catholic
churches. In addition FMI have published books,
magazines,
newsletters
and a music CD
which have been published and distributed in over fourteen
countries as part of a vision for a wider form of
evangelisation.
During 2003 FMI began FMITV & Video Productions
and began filming our Congresses and Seminars. These
productions are produced for Television suitable for Wide
Screen Digital TV. Each production is also available to
purchase in Video and DVD.
Archdiocese
of Mexico
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During
August/September 2002 Flame Ministries' Evangelist
Eddie Russell was invited to Mexico to conduct a
national evangelisation
mission.
Invited by Fr. Dan Gagnon OMI, Director of the
Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith,
Archdiocese of Mexico, Eddie and FMI's Moderator
for Youth And Music, Patrick Carre were Officially
Welcomed to Mexico by Norberto Card. Rivera
Carrera, Arzobispo Primada de Mexico who gave his
blessing for the mission which reached millions of
people.
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Eddie
preached in many Catholic Churches and Charismatic
Conferences around Mexico including Guadalajara,
Tonola Jalisco, Los Remedios, Quaratero, Coyoacan,
Coacalco State of Mexico, Predicadores de Pueblo:
Martin Rivera, Mexico City and many other places
where thousands attended to hear him speak. He was
also invited to do two, two hour shows on
Claravision Catholic TV which has a live audience
of 25 million people throughout Latin South
America, USA, Canada and Alaska. These shows were
very successful and gained a positive feedback to
the station.
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At
Mexico Nuevo crowds press in for healing and
prayer.
Full
story and
photographs.
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Following on from Mexico to Miami in Florida USA, the
effect of a visiting evangelist had a very positive effect
on St Louis Catholic Church. The effect was such that after
the first night's experience, parishioners were phoning
friends all over Florida encouraging them to attend the rest
of the mission.
An
evangelist can address governments: WA
Rural Summit 2001.
Convened by the Perenjori Shire Council and sponsored by
the Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Kim Chance MLC, the
National Civic Council, Elders, Midwest Development
Corporation and Agriculture W.A, Eddie was invited by the
Shire President, Mr. Brian Baxter to be part of a panel of
experts to address the plight of Australian farmers in
today’s troubled rural economy. After his address,
which was later reported in the rural press, a non Christian
farmer commented. “That message was exactly what we
needed. I’ve never heard religion put that way before.
It wasn't what I expected. It was very practical and easy to
understand - Excellent!”
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An
evangelist can affect the morals of a whole
Shire.
The impact of his message at
the Rural
Summit not
only inspired farmers to a new vision but it also
had an effect on the morals of the whole community.
"Eddie, you've done a great job." Shire President
Mr. Brian Baxter said afterwards. "The people of
Perenjori are now reassessing their moral values
thanks to you and FMI. People are still talking
about your session. You’ve made a big impact.
A lot is going to come from this." He said.
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Shire
President Mr. Brian Baxter - Left.
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The
Gospel is in fact practical and easy to understand.
The messages preached and taught by the evangelist
are delivered in a language and in such a way that those
without faith, knowledge or belief can accept them. This can
easily irk the intellectual and religious-minded because it
is the message of Christ expressed in the simple colloquial
language of the people. An evangelist does not give
‘talks’. Although many practical and personal
examples are given in the messages, the evangelist preaches
and teaches from the texts in the bible and explains them in
a manner that can be understood by the listeners, not so
much that the listener can be educated, but that they can
accept it in a personal life-changing experiential way. The
evangelist, preacher and teacher is not interested in what
they think the text means to themselves, but rather what God
intended it to mean for us. Therefore, the messages
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are
all based on the Word of God and what it means for
us in today’s context. In addition, the
evangelist will always give the people an
opportunity to make a personal decision to accept
Jesus and their salvation. This is often referred
to as an altar-call and people will be invited to
step forward as a sign of conscious acceptance.
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An
evangelist meets the challenge of today’s
rejection of
Christ.
If we do not feed our children good food they
will go to their friend’s house to eat. If not
there, they will certainly be attracted to junk
food. No one with ears to hear and eyes to see can
deny the ever increasing numbers of Catholics that
leave the Church each year either to join
fundamentalist sects or give up altogether. Neither
can we ignore the denial of Christ and the
disintegration of morality in today’s world.
The occult and antichrist New Age Movement is
gaining a major control and influence in all areas
of society, media and governments throughout the
world including the Church. The FMI evangelists and
members are ready and willing to meet these things
head on.
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Catholics are not impervious to these influences and
many have adopted New
Age
practices and many attend non-Catholic churches seeking to
be fed with the “Word”. Flame Ministries
International is a Catholic ministry of the Word and can
meet this need which it proclaims in season or out of
season. Catholics are well imbued with the sacraments but
many are in poverty when it comes to an experiential
knowledge of the bible which is a living and active Word of
God.
Protestant Pentecostals want to attend Flame
meetings.
Invitations to preach come from many areas such as
America, India, Africa and other countries, many from
Pentecostal churches who are hungry for the Gospel. This is
a phenomenon that cannot be dismissed out of hand since
these churches are inviting a Catholic ministry to
preach
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to
their pastors and revival crusades. In Perth a
Pentecostal pastor who invited Eddie to preach at
his church, was so impressed that he asked
permission to attend Flame’s Sunday evening
services with his congregation when FMI finally
gets a building in which to hold them. FMI have
begun a Building Fund as a way to reach this goal.
Our readers are encouraged to become Partners with
us by joining Friends
of Flame
and receiving an associate membership.
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NEW Television, Video and DVD
Productions
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Living
in a modern world requires a modern approach to the
presentation of the Gospel message. Encouraged by
the success of the broadcasts from Mexico City, FMI
launched FMITV and Video Productions in January
2003. The first 10 x 60 minute programs were filmed
at the 13th Annual Flame Congress on the New
Mysteries of the Rosary. Speakers, Archbishop
Hickey, Bishop Don Sproxton, Fr. Bob Carden,
Catholic Apologist Raymond De Souza, Steve Peake
FMI and Eddie Russell FMI
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presented powerful Biblical insights to these New
Mysteries. The programs will be aired on Television in
India, Africa, Australia, USA and possibly Mexico. All
programs are available on Video and DVD to the general
public. During 2003 filming for 36 programs of the Set My
People on Fire seminars began as well as other FMI Bible
Seminars. Produced for the latest Wide Screen, Hi-Digital
Television formats, this new apostolate will allow FMI and
its Evangelists to reach more people with the Gospel in a
fast moving, high-tech world.
What
on earth then is a Catholic
Evangelist?
That’s the one who is serious about preaching
the Gospel of salvation and proclaiming the truth that Jesus
is Lord for the conversion of nations. Jesus didn't offer
the Gospel of salvation as an optional extra and neither
does a Catholic evangelist. Rather he seeks out the lost
sheep and brings in the harvest of souls without
compromising the truth. The world is the field of great
price and the evangelist is prepared to go into it and pay
the price to gain it for Jesus and the Kingdom God. Hearing
the message preached in their own colloquial language people
understand, respond and accept Jesus as their Lord and
savior. The Church exists to evangelise and when she fails
to do so, she fails to be Church. While there are
evangelists in the Church and ministries involved in
evangelisation, the Church cannot fail to be Church. It
therefore fulfills the Great Commission and builds up the
body of Christ to its full stature.
That’s
what a Catholic evangelist is in the Church and, in the
world.
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See
the Power of the Evangelist at
work:
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
2002 - Eddie Russell preaches Revival prophecy and salvation
to over 25 million people in Mexico, USA, South America,
Canada, Alaska, England, Singapore, Australia.
Flame
Revival News Online
[pics].
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Article
published with commentary:
February 6th 2002
A
FREE Online Newsletter reporting the international and
local Australian Revival Missions of Flame Ministries
International.
 
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