Boise, ID:

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The following comes to us from team leader Lucy with our team in Boise, ID:

Sometimes, Catholics are recognized as Christian, but questions remain. So, thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

As the first evangelist arrived at “our spot”, a long-haired, perhaps 20-year-old man (“Maxwell”) was standing somewhat near where we set up. It looked like he was preaching to 3 other young men (including “Jake” and “Levi”). The evangelist couldn’t quite hear enough to figure out his message, but heard the words “Catholic” and “church” and “Lord” several times. When the second evangelist arrived with “our wagonload o’ stuff” and we started setting up, the discussion broke up and the two groups parted ways, “Maxwell” heading north.

But soon the other three teens returned from the south, accompanied by a fourth, taller young man (“Cody”). They came purposefully toward our table. Cody was an articulate high school junior. They explained that they were in a non-denominational church and, therefore, unfamiliar with “denominational churches” and wondered what it meant to be Catholic. This was the start of a good 45-minute conversation. Their group encourages members to come up with their own interpretations of Scripture. This gave Chuck an opportunity to tell his own testimony on how he searched all the denominations searching for consistent truth, finally discovering the Catholic Church, “the pillar and bulwark of truth” (1 Tim 3:15). Evidently, the teens’ pastor does not focus on anti-Catholic rhetoric because their only objections, praying to Saints and faith vs works, were half-hearted and they recognized, even before we replied, that the objections were over-simplifications. Though they asked good questions and listened politely, they still declined to take a Rosary. We showed them how to make the Sign of the Cross and explained its meaning and purpose. As they prepared to leave, Cody gave a heartfelt prayer for us all. We praise God for the courage of these budding evangelists and pray that the seeds of our conversation will grow into an unflinching search for truth that leads to unification and conversion.

Praised be Jesus Christ!