Dave Nodar, Dianne Davis, and other ChristLife team members joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the World Meeting of Families in September to talk and pray with anyone interested in exploring a relationship with the Lord and discovering more about the Catholic faith. Below is Dianne's reflection on her experience.

It’s an honor and privilege to know I am called by the Lord to evangelize. I’ve had so many blessings in my life and I’ve done many things. But to me, this, evangelization, is the most important thing I can do. Spreading the love and truth of Christ is what I count as the greatest joy. God has done so much for me and I want other people to have an opportunity to encounter Him.

Our team managed one of three evangelization tables arranged around the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Immediately after setting our table on the first day, a married couple approached the team. After sharing about their married couples ministry, which is run out of their house, they asked us to pray for their family, their ministry, and all of their friends and family who were back home praying for the Lord’s will to be accomplished that week. There we were--people who had never met before and will probably never meet again this side of Heaven--joined together in prayer as members of Christ’s family. It was a beautiful way to begin the week.

Throughout the conference, we met and prayed with people from all over the world: Canada, Mexico, Vietnam, Spain, Dominican Republic, and more. It was a blessing to witness the universal Church in action.

I speak a little Spanish, which was helpful many times. On one occasion, I was speaking with a priest from Santo Domingo about the experience of a personal encounter with Jesus Chris and shared my testimony as an example. I noticed a few women watching as I shared. When I finished, one woman approached me in tears. She said, “My testimony is very similar to yours. I had all of these worldly things, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with Christ. Now I do. And that’s why I’m here today.”

A Spanish-speaking nun also approached the table after I shared my testimony. She asked a team member and myself to pray with her. I said, "I don’t speak Spanish well, would you like me to find someone else to pray with you?" She responded, "No, it’s okay. The Holy Spirit will understand."

When I asked how we could pray for her, she simply said, "I want what you have."

We prayed for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and these words of Jesus came to mind. "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:13). During our time of prayer, the Lord demonstrated His personal love for this nun–His child. He also used that time of prayer to remind me of how He is able to use each one of us in radical ways, especially when we feel weak or inadequate.

As we were leaving Philadelphia, Dave Nodar and I talked about our many encounters from the week. He shared a beautiful thought, which I would like to share with you. "We are wounded healers, as family and parishes, who can bring the kingdom of God to one another by Jesus' grace and authority."

What an honor and privilege it was to serve the Lord at the World Meeting of Families with ChristLife and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Were you at the World Meeting of Families? We'd love to hear about your experience. Head over to our Facebook page to share your thoughts!

Demonstrating a version of the bridge illustration (from Sharing Christ) for children.

World Meeting of Families Mass.

Dianne Davis speaking on a Santo Domingo television station.

 Dianne Davis joined ChristLife in 2012 as the New York Regional Director. She was raised in a devout Catholic family and made a personal commitment to Jesus, surrendering her life to Him, in 2001. She went from "loving" Jesus to "falling in love" with Him and her life has never been the same! She has been married to her husband for 21 years and they have two sons.