Guide for evangelizers: 7 tips for connecting with youth audiences

In a world where rapid communication dominates, reaching large audiences of young people with the Gospel message may seem like a big challenge, but it is also an opportunity to share faith in a creative, sincere and effective way.

Father Juan Carlos Vásconez, known for his digital initiatives such as “Talk to Jesus” and give talks to young people; and Carlos Santos, academic and digital evangelizer; They shared with ACI Prensa some practical tips for those seeking to transmit the message of Christ at in-person events.

Below are seven key tips for Catholic evangelizers.

1. Capture attention from the beginning

“Speaking for 40 minutes in front of a crowd of teenagers is a multi-layered challenge. It’s not enough to stand up and share a message; You have to capture their attention from the first moment and try to keep it alive until the end,” shared Father Vásconez, who is known for carrying out several digital projects such as “Talk to Jesus”.

He shared this reflection with ACI Prensa after participating last weekend in two local youth festivals in Ecuador: in the city of Milagro, Diocese of San Jacinto, which brought together about 300 young people; and at the Javier School, in the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, where more than 2,000 people participated.

2. Be participatory and dynamic

According to the priest, after capturing attention, a participatory environment must be created: “include questions, anecdotes, dynamics. But there is something deeper that we must seek: to touch his heart.” “The moment I really manage to connect with them is when I myself get excited about what I’m saying. That genuine emotion is contagious,” he said.

3. Normalize faith in everyday life

Carlos Santos, digital evangelizer and academic, highlighted the importance of living and showing faith as an integral part of our lives: “Talking naturally about our Catholic practices can generate moments of reflection in others.”

“This does not mean proselytizing, but rather sharing how our faith influences our daily lives, showing coherence and authenticity,” he added.

4. Share personal testimonies

According to Father Vásconez, life experiences are the best bridge for others to identify with the Gospel message: “when I share my personal struggles and victories, I feel the barriers crumble.”

For example, you remember recently sharing a deeply personal story that still weighs on your heart. During one of his lectures, he recounted how he tried to help a young woman who was struggling with deep depression.

While sharing this experience, Father Vásconez perceived something different in the environment. The faces of the young people were attentive, their gazes fixed on him, as if each word resonated deeply in their hearts. “They knew it wasn’t just a story; “It was a piece of my soul, a testimony that even in the darkest moments, hope has a place,” he said.

5. Offer a hopeful message

According to the Ecuadorian priest, evangelizing is not simply sharing information, but doing so in a meaningful way. “Everyone has their own style, and not all of us should communicate in the same way. The essential thing is that, whatever the approach, the message always conveys hope. Our communicative gifts must be at the service of the Gospel, so that the richness and beauty of faith shine in an attractive way.”

“But that hope is not limited to this life. It’s not just about things going well here, avoiding pain or winning all the battles. True hope is that which is anchored in eternity, in the promise that, although we do not always understand God’s ways, He never abandons us,” he added.

Likewise, he urged people to avoid superficial messages during presentations: “As someone once told me: the The Church is not the one that communicates best, but it is the one that communicates the best. That truth that transforms lives is our greatest treasure, and our responsibility is to share it in a way that ignites the hearts of those who listen to us.”

6. Use inspiring references such as saints

When referring to his participation in local events, the priest shared: “I spoke about the saints, who made their lives a passionate testimony of the love of God, and I highlighted how the Eucharist was the center of their lives.”

For example, Carlo Acutis is a perfect model for the digital world: a young man who used technology to evangelize while centering his life on the Eucharist. “Through this saint, I sought to communicate that the more we receive the Eucharist, the more we will become like Jesus.”

7. Never give up: every effort counts

“To my fellow evangelizers and communicators: do not be discouraged. Every effort counts. Speaking to young people can be complex, but it is a deeply rewarding mission,” the priest continued.

He indicated that although evangelization may seem frustrating when you do not see immediate results, we must “continue sowing with love and courage, trusting that God will make the seeds we plant grow.”

“Evangelizing young people is not an easy task, but it is essential. Every attentive look, every heart that opens to the message of Christ, is a confirmation that our work is worth it. Let us move forward with hope, sure that God is with us on this path,” he concluded.