Immersion 2023

Annual Evangelization Conference

Thank you for helping make Immersion 2023 a huge success. Information about the next Immersion should be released in December 2023.

Immersion 2023: One of the Most Unique Catholic Conferences in the World

July 20-22, 2023

Immersion 2023 is the National Conference for St. Paul Street Evangelization. It is one of the most unique Catholic conferences in the world in that we limit capacity to 200 people and we spend a significant part of the conference ministering to others on the streets of Southeast Michigan through a variety of evangelization experiences.

Immersion is a dynamic and hands-on experience, designed from the ground up to help train, equip, and mobilize Catholics as disciple-makers who proclaim Jesus Christ in the world. Immersion 2023 includes prayer, a variety of direct evangelization experiences, dynamic talks, specialized breakouts, worship, and fellowship. We will gather as a community for Mass each day to be spiritually equipped for the encounters the Lord has for each of us. Attendees will have a chance to learn from the other active evangelists, make new friends as part of our tight-knit community, all while we share best practices and the stories of our daily encounters. Everyone will have the opportunity to receive ministry and to minister to others.

Location

St. Thomas Catholic Church
530 Elizabeth St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

When is Immersion 2022?

July 7 – 9, 2022

3:00 PM – Registration Opens
4:30 PM – Mass
6:00 PM – Keynote with Peter Herbeck
7:00 PM – Social

8:30 AM – Mass

10:00 AM – Breakouts
– Evangelization Basics (Adam Janke)
– Evangelizing Nones (Dr. Deb McManimon)
– Discipleship: Jesus’ Method of Evangelization (Brian Lee)

11:00 AM – Breakouts
– The Kerygma (Bob Wilson)
– Loving People Enough to Tell them the Truth: Human Sexuality and Identity (David & Noelle McHugh)
– Prayer and Evangelization (Beth Schuele)

12:00 PM – Ministry Prep
12:30 PM – Lunch on your own
2:00 PM – Evangelization
4:00 PM – Dinner on your own
6:00 PM – Keynote
7:00 PM – Prayer Ministry

8:30 AM – Rosary
9:00 AM – Mass
10:00 AM – Evangelization
12:00 PM – Lunch on your own

2:00 PM – Breakouts
– Power of Testimony (Dr. Deb McManimon)
– Evangelizing Muslims (David McHugh)
– Family & Evangelization: Passing on the Faith in the Home (Noelle McHugh)

3:00 PM – Breakouts
– Praying Out Loud (Adam Janke)
– Evangelizing Atheists (Bob Wilson)
– Work and Evangelization: How to share the Gospel in Your Career (Tom Graves)

4:00 PM – Break
5:30 PM – Vigil Mass
6:30 PM – Dinner (Provided)
7:00 PM – Light the Fire
9:00 PM – Final Reflection

Your registration covers the cost of the entire conference, materials, a t-shirt, the Thursday night party, and a simple dinner on Saturday. It does not include the cost of transportation, accommodations, or any other meals. It is possible to walk from the parish to our evangelization outings. Uber, Lyft, taxis, car rentals, and public transportation are available from the airport.

“People throw around the word ‘life-changing’ so much that it’s starting to lose its meaning, but my experience at the Immersion Conference was really, truly life-changing. I learned so much and gained so much valuable experience actually evangelizing people that my life as a disciple is not the same as it was before. I’m on mission in new ways and I’m much less afraid, thanks to this conference.”

Nick Hardesty

Associate Director of Adult Evangelization and RCIA, Archdiocese of Cincinnati

When is Immersion 2022?

July 7 – 9, 2022

3:00 PM – Registration Opens
4:30 PM – Mass
6:00 PM – Keynote with Peter Herbeck
7:00 PM – Social

8:30 AM – Mass

10:00 AM – Breakouts
– Evangelization Basics (Adam Janke)
– Evangelizing Nones (Dr. Deb McManimon)
– Discipleship: Jesus’ Method of Evangelization (Brian Lee)

11:00 AM – Breakouts
– The Kerygma (Bob Wilson)
– Loving People Enough to Tell them the Truth: Human Sexuality and Identity (David & Noelle McHugh)
– Prayer and Evangelization (Beth Schuele)

12:00 PM – Ministry Prep
12:30 PM – Lunch on your own
2:00 PM – Evangelization
4:00 PM – Dinner on your own
6:00 PM – Keynote
7:00 PM – Prayer Ministry

8:30 AM – Rosary
9:00 AM – Mass
10:00 AM – Evangelization
12:00 PM – Lunch on your own

2:00 PM – Breakouts
– Power of Testimony (Dr. Deb McManimon)
– Evangelizing Muslims (David McHugh)
– Family & Evangelization: Passing on the Faith in the Home (Noelle McHugh)

3:00 PM – Breakouts
– Praying Out Loud (Adam Janke)
– Evangelizing Atheists (Bob Wilson)
– Work and Evangelization: How to share the Gospel in Your Career (Tom Graves)

4:00 PM – Break
5:30 PM – Vigil Mass
6:30 PM – Dinner (Provided)
7:00 PM – Light the Fire
9:00 PM – Final Reflection

Keynote Presenters

 

Steve Dawson

President and Founder
St. Paul Street Evangelization

Thursday Evening Keynote

Steve Ray

Catholic convert, apologist, pilgrimage guide, author, movie producer, speaker, traveller, bird-watcher, walker – mostly husband, father and grandfather of 19.

Friday Evening Keynote

When is Immersion 2022?

July 7 – 9, 2022

3:00 PM – Registration Opens
4:30 PM – Mass
6:00 PM – Keynote with Peter Herbeck
7:00 PM – Social

8:30 AM – Mass

10:00 AM – Breakouts
– Evangelization Basics (Adam Janke)
– Evangelizing Nones (Dr. Deb McManimon)
– Discipleship: Jesus’ Method of Evangelization (Brian Lee)

11:00 AM – Breakouts
– The Kerygma (Bob Wilson)
– Loving People Enough to Tell them the Truth: Human Sexuality and Identity (David & Noelle McHugh)
– Prayer and Evangelization (Beth Schuele)

12:00 PM – Ministry Prep
12:30 PM – Lunch on your own
2:00 PM – Evangelization
4:00 PM – Dinner on your own
6:00 PM – Keynote
7:00 PM – Prayer Ministry

8:30 AM – Rosary
9:00 AM – Mass
10:00 AM – Evangelization
12:00 PM – Lunch on your own

2:00 PM – Breakouts
– Power of Testimony (Dr. Deb McManimon)
– Evangelizing Muslims (David McHugh)
– Family & Evangelization: Passing on the Faith in the Home (Noelle McHugh)

3:00 PM – Breakouts
– Praying Out Loud (Adam Janke)
– Evangelizing Atheists (Bob Wilson)
– Work and Evangelization: How to share the Gospel in Your Career (Tom Graves)

4:00 PM – Break
5:30 PM – Vigil Mass
6:30 PM – Dinner (Provided)
7:00 PM – Light the Fire
9:00 PM – Final Reflection

Worship Team

 

Noelle Garcia

Noelle Garcia is a Catholic recording artist and speaker, wife, and mom to five kids. She travels the country sharing the faith through witness.

Worship Leader

Fr. Graham Keep

Fr. Graham Keep is a parish priest and pastor in the Diocese of London, Ontario. He is passionate about equipping the laity in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Celebrant

When is Immersion 2022?

July 7 – 9, 2022

3:00 PM – Registration Opens
4:30 PM – Mass
6:00 PM – Keynote with Peter Herbeck
7:00 PM – Social

8:30 AM – Mass

10:00 AM – Breakouts
– Evangelization Basics (Adam Janke)
– Evangelizing Nones (Dr. Deb McManimon)
– Discipleship: Jesus’ Method of Evangelization (Brian Lee)

11:00 AM – Breakouts
– The Kerygma (Bob Wilson)
– Loving People Enough to Tell them the Truth: Human Sexuality and Identity (David & Noelle McHugh)
– Prayer and Evangelization (Beth Schuele)

12:00 PM – Ministry Prep
12:30 PM – Lunch on your own
2:00 PM – Evangelization
4:00 PM – Dinner on your own
6:00 PM – Keynote
7:00 PM – Prayer Ministry

8:30 AM – Rosary
9:00 AM – Mass
10:00 AM – Evangelization
12:00 PM – Lunch on your own

2:00 PM – Breakouts
– Power of Testimony (Dr. Deb McManimon)
– Evangelizing Muslims (David McHugh)
– Family & Evangelization: Passing on the Faith in the Home (Noelle McHugh)

3:00 PM – Breakouts
– Praying Out Loud (Adam Janke)
– Evangelizing Atheists (Bob Wilson)
– Work and Evangelization: How to share the Gospel in Your Career (Tom Graves)

4:00 PM – Break
5:30 PM – Vigil Mass
6:30 PM – Dinner (Provided)
7:00 PM – Light the Fire
9:00 PM – Final Reflection

Power Talks

Powerful, short talks on practical evangelization by people living their faith and ministering on the ground. Pick which talk you want to attend each session.

 

Adam Janke

Vice-President, Speaker
St. Paul Street Evangelization

Basic Track 101: Practical Evangelization in the Modern World

Bryan O'Donnell

Evangelist at Urban Encounter Ministries

Advanced Track 101: Outreach to the Poor, Inner City, Hospitals and More.

Robert Wilson

National Director
St. Paul Street Evangelization

Basic Track 102: Loving Those We Evangelize; Team Leader Luncheon

Noelle Garcia

Noelle Garcia is a Catholic recording artist and speaker. 

Advanced Track 102: Anxiety, Fear, Depression, Sin, and Grace: Surviving Spiritual Attacks as a Catholic

Craig Pohl

Director of New Evangelization, Catholic Diocese of Lansing

Basic Track 103: Preaching the Gospel and Bringing People to Jesus

Sheri Wolhfert

Sheri is a Catholic wife, mom, speaker and teacher. She uses her great sense of humor and her deep faith to help others discover the joy of being a child of God. Sheri teaches SPSE’s Entertaining Angels Hospitality Training.

Advanced Track 103: Evangelization in the Home, Family, and School

Jenny Ingles, CFCP

Director of Fertility and Life Ministries in the Diocese of Lansing

Basic Track 104: Approaches to Family, Life, and Sex in Evangelization

Fr. Graham Keep

Fr. Graham Keep is a parish priest and pastor in the Diocese of London, Ontario. He is passionate about equipping the laity in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Advanced Track 104: Obedience to the Holy Spirit and the Gifts for Evangelization. 

Learn Through Active Ministry

 

Friday Morning Door to Door Ministry

For the first ministry activity you’ll meet and join your new ministry team over lunch and then do door to door ministry in Ann Arbor, Michigan using our non-confrontational outreach method.

Saturday Morning Street Ministry

On Saturday morning you’ll stay with your same team to evangelize on the streets of Ann Arbor and surrounding areas, where people will approach our stations. Some teams may also walk around busy outdoor market places to evangelize.

Saturday Night Light the Fire Event

Light the Fire is always the highlight of our Immersion conference. After Mass and supper, your team will be assigned a role in this unique and incredible outreach event at an Ann Arbor parish.

 

Conference Schedule

 

  • 3:00 PM – Check-In Opens
  • 6:00 PM – Worship & Welcome
  • 6:30 PM – Keynote Address by Steve Dawson, Founder and President of St. Paul Street Evangelization
  • 7:30 PM – Holy Mass
  • 8:30 – 10:00 PM – Social

 

  • 9:00 AM – Holy Mass
  • 10:00 AM – Basic Track: Evangelization in the Modern World with Adam Janke, MA
  • 10:00 AM – Advanced Track: Outreach to the Poor, Prisons, and Hospitals with Bryan O’Donnell
  • 11:00 AM – Basic Track: Loving Those We Evangelize with Bob Wilson
  • 11:00 AM – Advanced Track: Anxiety, Fear, Depression, Sin, and Grace: Surviving Spiritual Attacks as a Catholic by Noelle Garcia
  • 12:00 PM – Evangelization Instructions & Prayer Ministry Guidelines with Brian Lee
  • 1:00 PM – Lunch Break with your team
  • 2:00 – 4:00 PM – Evangelization
  • 4:00 – 6:00 PM – Dinner Break
  • 6:00 PM – Worship & Welcome
  • 6:30 PM – Keynote with Steve Ray
  • 7:30 PM – Worship, Eucharistic Adoration & Prayer Teams
  • 9:00 AM – Holy Mass
  • 10:00 – 12:00 PM – Street Evangelization
  • 12:00 – 2:00 PM – Lunch with your team
  • 12:15 PM – Optional Team Leader Lunch with Bob Wilson and Brian Lee
  • 2:00 PM – Basic Track: Preaching the Gospel & Bringing People to Jesus with Craig Pohl
  • 2:00 PM – Advanced Track: Evangelization in the Home, Family, and School with Sheri Wolhfert
  • 3:00 PM – Basic Track: Approaches to Family, Life, and Sex in Evangelization with Jenny Ingles
  • 3:00 PM – Advanced Track: Obedience to the Holy Spirit and the Gifts for Evangelization with Fr. Graham Keep 
  • 4:00 PM – Break, prepare for Mass and Light the Fire
  • 4:30 PM – Vigil Mass
  • 5:30 PM – Light the Fire Evangelization Event Instructions and Pizza Dinner
  • 6:30 – 9:00 PM – Light the Fire
  • 9:00 PM – Praise Reports and Final Blessing

Are there any scholarships available?

We may have scholarships available. If you or someone you know needs a scholarship, please contact Adam Janke at adam@stpaulse.com for more information. Sustaining partners may use their discount codes. If you would like to sponsor a scholarship, please contact Adam Janke at adam@stpaulse.com.

Is there any childcare available?

Unfortunately we do not have the staffing available to offer childcare. You will need to arrange your own childcare.

Are there any age limitations to attending?

This conference was designed for adult participation. Mature high school students can attend with their parent or guardian, who has sole responsibility for them.

Do I need my own transportation?

Yes. Ann Arbor is known for being a walkable city. There are hotels near the conference venue. However you will need to provide your own transportation.

Will any food be provided?

We will provide food at the social on Thursday night and for supper on Saturday before Light the Fire. All other food is your own responsibility.

What about parking?

Limited free surface parking is available onsite at the conference venue.

Refund Policy

We have a no refund policy. If you are unable to attend, your ticket cost can be turned into a donation. You can transfer your ticket to another person at least 1 week before the conference.

Ticket Prices

Hotel Information

There are a variety of hotels available in the area. Due to the Ann Arbor Art Fair prices are higher than normal. We suggest booking your housing early.

 

Parking Information

Limited free parking is avialable at the parish for parish attendees. If this runs out, other street parking or lot parking away from the parish is available. The parking lot is about 1/2 block from the parish and it is down an alleyway. On Kingsley street after you pass the church, look for a pole with a small green arrow. It is located west of the church towards Main Street.

Vendor Information

Click here for information on purchasing a vendor table or ad space in our program.