And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation . . . And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mk 16:15-18).

It seems from the very beginning, the Holy Spirit was given for “mission.” I was recently asked what I am seeing out across the country when it comes to the Renewal, especially with young adults. When I consider that question, I find myself somewhat perplexed since much of what I see is not necessarily connected directly with Charismatic Renewal. But the tie is unmistakable. Those who are spearheading many of the apostolates and ministries that are bearing great fruit have their beginnings in an encounter with the Holy Spirit.

FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) is doing what they call Spiritual Boot Camp weekends on college campuses all over the country. These have been immensely powerful, bringing college students into an encounter with the healing power of Christ and with the person of the Holy Spirit. I have experienced a couple of these weekends myself and have witnessed the encounter. The experience reminded me of the Life in the Spirit Seminars I used to do.

Also this past year, I have had several experiences with a new ministry called St. Paul Street Evangelization. Again, not formally connected with Charismatic Renewal, but bearing amazing fruit in places all over the country. And one of the groups that seems uniquely drawn to their ministry is young adults and teens. I recently had them come to Denver to do a series of trainings. What a beautiful thing to see Seminarians and lay people out on the streets of Denver and in our large public parks boldly witnessing to Christ. The power behind that witness is the Holy Spirit, whether it is connected to the Renewal or not.

I also have had the privilege to be involved in a number of projects around the country aimed at discipleship of young people. Discipleship camps for teens and young adults, and trainings in numerous dioceses to help adults learn the skills needed to do ongoing discipleship with these young people. I can honestly say that the camps I have been involved with have been some of the most powerful experiences I have witnessed in almost 30 years of active ministry.

As I muse on all these experiences, I start to see a thread emerge – it’s conversion. In Acts, when we read about the first Pentecost, what immediately happened after the coming of the Holy Spirit? Peter got up and preached the Kerygma, and over three thousand people were converted! And not just initial conversion, but ongoing conversion and intentional discipleship. Acts tells us that they, “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers . . . And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42, 47). The pattern? Evangelization, conversion, invited into community and fellowship, rooted in relational prayer, ongoing discipleship, and mobilized for mission. This was the pattern of the early Church, and nothing has changed for us today. This is still the pattern and move of the Holy Spirit!

The Catechism tells us that the Holy Spirit converts the human heart (1989), and leads the faithful to all truth (91, 737). He enlightens, strengthens, and renews the Christian (1695), and helps and sustains faith (683-684). And it is the Holy Spirit who is the master of prayer (741, 2766) and the source of all holiness (749). This is exactly what I see the Spirit doing today in many places all across the country.

Jim Beckman

Jim Beckman

Jim Beckman is a Professor at the Augustine Institute in Denver, CO where he serves as a Lecturer of Leadership and Discipleship. He is a member of the National Service Committee. He and his wife, Meg, live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado with their five children.