Have you ever felt the nudge to share your faith story? Maybe you seized the moment and dove right in… if so, congratulations!
But maybe you didn’t.
Maybe you hesitated, and missed the moment.
If this is you, fear not. You’re not alone in your struggle. Sharing your story is hard! It’s a muscle that we need practice to exercise, and your story is still unfolding.
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This mini-blog series will help you write your testimony, gain confidence in your delivery, break down common mindset barriers (get out of your head!), and gain inspiration from the saints.
Part 1: The Why and The How
Part 2: Practical Tips
Part 3: Mindset Roadblocks
Part 4: Facing Fears with the Saints
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A Firm Foundation: Why Sharing Your Testimony Matters
Every testimony—whether dramatic or quiet and ongoing—is powerful because it reveals how Christ is alive in the world and working in your life.
Revelation 12:11 reminds us that we conquer the Enemy “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” We receive the Eucharist as strength for the journey, and we share our stories of faith with the people around us.
BOTH the Eucharist AND the power of your testimony are necessary tools in the work of salvation and defeating the Enemy!
A personal testimony is one of the most powerful ways to evangelize because it’s real, relatable, and experience-based. A testimony can’t be argued against, because you’re not debating theology—you’re simply sharing your perspective of what Christ has done in your life.
Three Types of Testimonies
Conversion Story – How you came to believe in Jesus and the Catholic Church.
Reversion Story – How you moved from lukewarm or fallen-away faith to an active relationship with Christ.
Ongoing Transformation – God has been constantly and slowly working in your life; you can reflect back and see signs of his presence over a long period of time.
Reflect: Which type of testimony lines up best with your life story?
How to Structure Your Testimony
1. Life Before Christ (or Before Your Deeper Conversion)
Begin by sharing a bit of context for your story: what was your life like before you encountered Christ personally? Maybe this is part of your childhood, or maybe you begin your story later in life.
Reflect:
— What was your life like before encountering Christ personally?
— What struggles, questions, or obstacles did you face?
— What were you seeking (peace, purpose, joy, identity)?
Example:
“Even though I grew up Catholic, my faith felt more like a checklist than a relationship. I went to Mass, but I wasn’t convinced God was personally involved in my life.”
2. Encountering Christ (A Turning Point)
Because our faith is a lifelong journey, there will be many turning points in your life – either turning from sin, or returning to God in a deeper and deeper way.
In a Conversion or Reversion story, there are usually one or several moments when God’s presence became particularly clear to you. For Ongoing Transformation stories, share a moment when you looked back and noticed God’s presence or a particular blessing.
Reflect:
— What event, experience, or realization changed your faith and brought you closer to God (a retreat, a friendship, the sacraments, scripture, or suffering)?
— How did you come to believe in Jesus more deeply?
Example:
“During Adoration at a retreat, I felt for the first time that Jesus truly saw me and loved me. I realized my faith wasn’t just about rules—it was about a relationship.”
3. Life With Christ (Transformation & Growth)
An encounter with Christ does not leave us unchanged. Though we may still fall back into past sins and old habits, we are ultimately different in some way.
In your testimony, lean into the details of this difference, while acknowledging that life with Christ helps you to overcome these old struggles in a new way.
Reflect:
— How has your life changed since encountering Christ more deeply?
— What struggles remain, and how do you approach them differently?
— How do Jesus and the Church impact your daily life?
Example:
“I still have moments of doubt and weakness, but now I know where to turn. The Sacraments have become my source of strength, and I’ve found a deeper joy in living my faith.”
4. The Invitation (Bridging to Your Listener)
Don’t skip this step! Bring the listener into the story, because Christ is pursuing them, too, and already at work in their life.
The Invitation has 3 parts:
— Point out ways your story might be relevant to your listener, or things that you may have in common with them.
— What encouragement do you wish someone would have given you in your Life-Before-Christ chapter of life?
— You’ve had a chance to share your story… now invite your listener to share theirs.
Reflect:
— How can your story apply to them?
— What question or encouragement can you leave them with?
— What “direct ask” or invitation sounds normal and natural to me?
Example:
“If you’ve ever felt like your faith is just a routine, I want to encourage you—God is pursuing you personally. Have you ever had a moment like this, where you felt like God was personally involved in your life?”
You Are Called to Be a Witness
Your story is exactly what someone else needs to hear.
Let me say that twice so you hear me loud and clear:
Your story is exactly what someone else needs to hear!
Trust that God will use your testimony to plant seeds in hearts. You may or may not see any visible fruit, and that’s fine. God is still working!
Evangelization isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present and being faithful. Pray for courage and step out in faith—you never know how God will use your story!
Paschal Disciples 