Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast) Evangelizing Without Pushing People Away
Jan 21, 2026
Kevin Pesek, Campus Minister at St. Mary's Catholic Center, discusses innovative approaches to evangelization at Texas A&M. He shares insights on the surge in OCIA participation and how nurturing authentic relationships with Jesus is key. Kevin highlights the role of student-led small groups in fostering conversions and the importance of tailoring evangelization efforts to resonate with student cultures. He emphasizes spiritual over intellectual formation and explains how community and belonging are pivotal in engaging students.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Culture Multiplies Evangelization
- St. Mary's leverages its Marian charism and Aggie culture to make students more receptive to faith.
- A campus culture that values tradition and service naturally amplifies evangelization.
Run Semester Cohorts, Combine Confirmation
- Start OCIA cohorts on a semester schedule so newcomers have an immediate on-ramp.
- Combine OCIA with confirmation groups to create a mixed, consistent formation environment.
Mobilize Student Small-Group Leaders
- Recruit many student volunteer small-group leaders and let them invite and accompany peers.
- Use peer leaders to build relationships, sponsor candidates, and create conversion opportunities.
