What is the Student Ambassador program?
Our student ambassador program gives students an opportunity to participate in the mission of St. Paul Street Evangelization by equipping them to share the Person of Jesus Christ and the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith with other students on their college campus using our non-confrontational methods. St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) is a grassroots, non-profit organization, dedicated to responding to the mandate of Jesus to preach the Gospel to all nations by taking the Catholic Faith to the streets.
Our Goal
The goal of SPSE is not to win arguments but to share the love of Jesus Christ with a hurting student body that is seeking the truth. They do this using our non-confrontational method to begin conversations, listen, share the Gospel, offer prayer, and offer an invitation to grow as Christ disciple.
Evangelizing with the Love of God
When out on campus, SPSE student ambassadors share the hope that is in them so that the world sees the salvation of God through the Church that He founded. They do not evangelize because they have done any great thing, but because God has done great work in them, and for that, they are humbled. A person does not need to be a theologian or professional apologist to be an effective evangelist. He only needs to have a heart for Jesus Christ and His Church and be willing to share that with others.
Our Non-Confrontational Methods
Armed with a simple sign, pamphlets, and sacramentals, SPSE student ambassadors share their love of the Lord with others on campus. They may gather anywhere, but generally, they set up a table in a high foot traffic area while representing their own Catholic Campus ministry, making sure to follow university regulations. Our teams always begin in prayer. Unlike some forms of street evangelism which seek to forcibly proselytize those passing by (for example, by yelling, displaying confrontational signs, or preaching loudly at no one in particular), SPSE employs a non-confrontational method, maintaining a peaceful presence and allowing people to approach if they choose. Initial contact begins with a friendly greeting and an offer of a free Rosary or Miraculous Medal, but students never try to force anyone to stop and talk. We have found this non-confrontational approach to be very effective at strengthening the faith of students, bringing back into the Faith fallen away Catholics, and clearing up misconceptions about the Faith held by non-Catholics. The mission of SPSE to work with God for the conversion of the whole world to the Catholic Faith, SPSE student ambassadors participate in this mission by inviting students to join them for events, bible study, or Mass. In the end, it is up to God to make those seeds they sow to grow.
Seeking Holiness
SPSE recognizes that to be an effective witness for Christ and His Church, our student ambassadors must seek to live a holy life. As Pope Paul VI wrote in Evangeli Nuntiandi, “For the Church, the first means of evangelization is the witness of an authentically Christian life … ‘Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses’” (41). To this end, SPSE seeks students who take their Catholic Faith seriously and are striving for personal sanctity.
Working with your Chaplain and Campus Ministry
SPSE strongly encourages all student ambassadors to work with the Catholic campus leadership. This includes Catholic chaplains, missionaries, and student-led organizations. This will increase the effectiveness of the ministry so that our student ambassadors may act as a bridge to bring students on campus into a Catholic culture and provides a path to authentic discipleship.
Get Involved Today!
It is easy to become involved in St. Paul Street Evangelization as a Student Ambassador; any faithful Catholic of university age may be considered for the role. Evidence must be submitted that they have taken the time to discern their call to this work with their pastor or spiritual director. If you are interested in becoming a Student Ambassador with SPSE the first step is to contact Brian Lee, the Director of Teams at St. Paul Street Evangelization, by email (brian@stpaulse.com) or phone/text (657-777-2963).