SPSE’s Boise team set up in the downtown area called “The Grove.” One visitor told them he belonged to two non-Catholic Christian congregations, from the two extremes of his denomination.

Evangelist Val Allen asked, “Have you ever considered becoming Catholic?”

“No,” he said. “If God wanted me to be Catholic, he’d put something in my path to let me know.”

“‘Something in your path’?” another evangelist asked. “Like, maybe, a table set up in the middle of The Grove?”

The man glanced around, as if just noticing the unusual sight the SPSE table made in that setting, with its Rosaries and Catholic literature.

What if you were so serious about following Jesus that you made the time to be active in TWO congregations? Their inconsistent teachings grate on your heart. You read again Jesus’ words, “On this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18). You notice 1) that Jesus built a church (singular, not plural), and 2) if He promised that evil would not prevail against it, then this church must still exist in its integrity. You ask the Holy Spirit, “Where is this church? How will I recognize it?”

Mainstream Christians accept the Nicene Creed (a concise statement of the Christian faith). It lists the four marks, or properties, of the Church founded by Christ: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

The Catholic Church meets these criteria because of her source, the Trinity, because of her founder, Jesus Christ, and because of her soul, the Holy Spirit (cf. CCC 813).

Consider her visible unity: a common profession of the faith, common celebration of divine worship, and apostolic succession (cf. CCC 815). In her, sinners can move toward holiness: “It is in the Church that ‘the fullness of the means of salvation’ has been deposited. It is in her that ‘by the grace of God we acquire holiness’” (CCC 824). All are welcome: From Christ, her Head, she receives “‘the fullness of the means of salvation’…: correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession” (CCC 830).

Awesome job team Boise!! Please pray for all the people that they encountered and pray that God sends us many more evangelists. Then join us!