Spreading the gospel here and around the world

God “entered” my life in two most remarkable ways in 1967 and in 1971. While I had not been introduced formally to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal until a little later, I came to realize through those two personal events that there really was the Living God who cared for us all and who cared for me, loved us all with a love beyond all telling and loved me personally as well. It is the “old” story of learning for years about Christ and then coming to “meet” him in a most remarkable way. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal “confirmed” my own experience and opened me to willingly spend myself and to be spent in order to help as many as I could to really know him and love him and serve him, not just in this life, but forever!

Through my participation in Catholic Charismatic communities in Steubenville, Ohio at Franciscan University and in the Word of God Community in Ann Arbor, Michigan, many relationships were built. I became acquainted with two men, Ralph Martin and Peter Herbeck who were in the same parish as I, Christ the King Parish in Ann Arbor. Through common events and service (FIRE Rallies), we began to realize that God was asking for some particular service at home and abroad from the three of us. Renewal Ministries was formed in the early 80’s (I became a part in the late 80’s) as an organization devoted to Catholic Evangelism through television (The Choices We Face); Catholic radio (Food for the Journey, Fire on the Earth); writing of books and articles, producing CD’s, DVD’s and through parish evangelization and mission work. (Ralph, in particular, has been asked to minister at priests’ convocations and meetings of Bishops. He also serves as a full Professor at Sacred Heart major seminary in Detroit.)

We began to experience, in those early years, requests to speak and serve not only in the US but in many parts of the world. I personally have been privileged to speak in 32 different countries of the love of God for us and the need to respond to him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Overall, Renewal Ministries is serving in teaching in North America and in mission work in 40 some countries which Peter Herbeck oversees. People from across North America who have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit have volunteered to join Renewal Ministries’ country coordinators in spreading the Gospel and bringing both spiritual and medical aid to many.

This was all God’s work and God’s initiative—and continues to be. If you’d like to learn more about God’s work through Renewal Ministries, go to our web site: www.renewalministries.net. You will see a link to a 20 minute video where we tell the story of God’s Holy Spirit at work in us and through us.

The Holy Spirit is ever new, seeking daily to bring many who are lost or confused safely home! Here in North America where I spend most of my time, I see so many people in so many parishes, baptized and confirmed who perhaps know about God but they have not heard or sometimes have even ignored the graces that God is always seeking to give to those who ask…God never forces us to follow him but he is always pursuing us for our good and for our happiness.  We never cease to be grateful for the ways God has and is using us to reach many.


Sr. Ann Shields, SGL

Sr. Ann Shields, SGL

Baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1971, Sr. Ann Shields, S.G.L., is an internationally noted conference and retreat speaker, and the author of numerous books on Catholic spirituality. She is a member of The Servants of God’s Love, a charismatic religious community. Sr. Ann was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Benedict XVI in September of 2012 for service to the Church.