Our Blog
How to Evangelize Today
Over twenty years ago, as an undergraduate student at Michigan State University, I went on a spring break trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, to do beach evangelization. On each day of our “vacation,” we would approach strangers on the beach, tell them about Jesus,...
Rooting Our Identities in Christ
Dear Friends of Renewal Ministries, Ralph asked if I would share some insights the Lord is giving us that are profoundly influencing the young people we work with. I think some lessons from the annual summer camp we run for middle school boys could prove valuable for...
Nothing Without the Lord
A priest once told me, “Whatever you do, remember: Nothing without the Lord.” That phrase stuck with me: “Nothing without the Lord.” It’s helpful to remember that whether I’m waiting to get off an airplane, driving in my car, or just working, the Lord is always with...
The Light Shines in the Darkness: A Letter from Ralph Martin
Dear Challenged Disciples, The temperature of the battle is rising—and with this letter, I want to give you my best understanding of where we are in the war, as well as reasons to hope and how to help. The Masks are Off “The fog of religion has been lifted, the...
Spreading the Gospel in Zimbabwe
For more than twenty years, Renewal Ministries has supported the Emmaus Center, a Catholic community within Uganda that bears much fruit for the Lord. The following report outlines the Ugandan Emmaus Center’s recent outreach to another Emmaus Center in Zimbabwe. This...
Offer It Up
This interview is condensed from an episode of The Choices We Face in which Ralph Martin (RM) interviewed Fr. James Brent (FJB), OP, from the Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph. It can be viewed here. Fr. James’ original video on suffering can be viewed here. RM:...
Spreading the Gospel in Mexico
In April 2022, Renewal Ministries resumed its annual high school mission trip to serve the poor who live and work in the garbage dump in Mexico City. It had been nearly three years since we last served there with a group of high schoolers, since the 2020 mission was...
Overcoming Injustice: Q&A with Pastor James Ward
The following article is condensed from two episodes of The Choices We Face, Overcoming Injustice: Part One and Part Two. Ralph Martin (RM) and Peter Herbeck (PH) interviewed Pastor James Ward (PJW), author of Zero Victim and pastor and founder of Insight Church near...
Are We Ready to Take a Stand?
These are difficult days, days in which our faith, hope, and love are being tested. But these are also days of great opportunity. We are being given the opportunity, whether small or great, to bear witness to the truth of our faith. The question is, are we ready to...
Spreading the Gospel in Romania
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, we organized four Youth Adventure Camps in the summer of 2021. It was a challenge to bring in the optimal number of participants. The parents were still reluctant to let their children come to camp because of the virus. And yet,...
Living as Catholics in Challenging Times
I'm not here to convince you that we are living in challenging times. You know we are living in challenging times. I am here hoping to shed a little light on some of the challenges and how we can keep our hearts at peace and our heads clear amid the conflict,...
Obedience: Heaven’s Love Language
The Church is a miracle, a living organism brought into existence on the day of Pentecost. By the power of the Holy Spirit united to Jesus Christ in his flesh, Jesus became one of us. He became a human being so that heaven and earth could be joined in a human being....
The World is in Danger: A Letter from Ralph Martin
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Just before the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, I made a short video called The World is in Danger. I’d like to repeat what I said there and add a few additional comments, since the world really is in danger. . . . . . There's...
Some Tension is Beautiful
This article originally appeared in Pentecost Today Magazine, 2022, Issue 1. Most of us try to avoid tension. We generally don’t like holding two things at the same time, balancing multiple perspectives, or navigating conflicting ideas. We often think that simplifying...
Raising Next Generation, Spirit-Filled Leaders
The following post originally appeared in Renewal Ministries' June 2020 newsletter. Last October, the id team took a few days to pray, evaluate, celebrate, and seek the Lord’s will for our work in 2022. While we anticipated the time would be fruitful and refreshing...
The Lord Equips the Called
The following post originally appeared in Renewal Ministries' June 2020 newsletter. This month we offer you a glimpse into the inspirational life of one of Renewal Ministries' missionaries, Nancy Greenhaw. Jointly called by the Lord with her husband, Lloyd, Nancy has...
Give God Time
These are very challenging times. Perhaps they're orchestrated by the Lord to bring us to a place where we can really hear his Word. By which I mean for us not just to think nice, pious thoughts, but to hear his Word and have a relationship with Him and love Him. You...
Time to Lay it Down
The following post is condensed from a video on Renewal Ministries' YouTube channel. It is important to keep the big picture in mind as we make our way through troubling times. We must see the larger picture the Lord has prepared so that we can effectively cooperate...
Blessed Elena Guerra: Apostle of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit Chaplet, written by Bl. Elena Guerra can be used as a Holy Spirit Novena, beginning on Friday, May 27, 2022. The chaplet is shared at the end of this post. It is a joy for me to write about my friend Blessed Elena Guerra, whom I first met through my...
Living Through His Victorious Power
The following post has been condensed from Heather Khym's talk at Renewal Ministries’ 2022 Lift Jesus Higher Rally. It originally appeared in the May 2022 Renewal Ministries’ newsletter. The talk also can be viewed here. (Heather Khym begins speaking at 1:43:28.) We...