Evangelism Team Leader

Name: Sue Liskowski
Job: Evangelism Team Leader
Email: sbetsanes@aol.com

Job Description

Oversee, (1) Outreach, (2) Charities, (3) Internet, (4) The Evangelist, (5) Media, (6) Prison, (7) Sanctity of Life, (8) Mission, (9) Garden Center, (10) Lost Sheep, and any other ministry that may be established for the maintenance and growth of the parish’s overall evangelization program. Represent the mentioned ministries on the Parish Council. Submit monthly reports from the respective ministries to the Parish Council.

Current Events & Information

Considering Evangelism: Thoughts by Team Leader Sue Liskowski

The Evangelism Team is an eclectic group of ministries working together to reach out to the community. We support charity, promote the sanctity of life, inform and educate our parish and our neighbors when possible.

My goal is to help in any way I can to equip our members to share their faith with those who seek it, and to be beacons of light in a darkened world.

The idea of evangelism is sometimes a bit uncomfortable for Orthodox Christians. Often we associate it with knocking on doors and passing out religious tracts. Even if that is something we might feel called to do, sometimes we don't feel we know enough; afraid someone might ask a question we don't know how to answer. [or maybe it's just me who feels this way!]. But I think the world needs us. In particular, America needs us. And I think that finally, America is ready to see us not just as "that [insert ethnic group] church that has the festival with those yummy [insert ethnic food]." Maybe they will be able to look at us and see the church that is so wonderfully rich in tradition but so essentially simple at the same time. The church that holds the simple faith of the Apostles and yet embraces the layers and layers of two thousand years' worth of spiritual experience. It is a faith in which one could never get bored, never feel that they have at last learned all there is to know of Christianity.

There can be no such thing as an "expert" in Orthodox Christianity. It is so all-encompassing, from the ancient hymns and the deep theology of the Church fathers to the simple beauty of icons and the mystery of the sacraments.

St. Augustine wrote in his "Confessions": "Thou hast made us for yourself, Oh God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee." I believe there are a lot of people in this world right now who are hurting, lonely, confused, and tired, seeking peace but not knowing where to find it. People are seeking spirituality. Just look at the popularity of false religions, New Age music, yoga, even pagan practices. And among Christian denominations, there are movements toward more sacramental services. The people who were told in the '70s that all you need is Jesus are wondering if perhaps they aren't missing something.

I think the time has come for America to be introduced to the fullness of the Orthodox faith... and I think our parish at St. Luke's is uniquely blessed and able to minister to the needs of those seeking the true Christian church. Maybe we don't need to knock on doors. If we become models for how Orthodoxy can work in America, the people will come to ours!