Retreat center trains lay evangelists in India

(June 22, 2011) A Retreat Center in southern India’s Kerala State is training lay evangelists. The Bethania Retreat Center in Thamarassery diocese has begun a training program to help lay evangelists become more effective in their ministries.
“We empower lay evangelists to proclaim the gospel without fear or ignorance,” said Fr. James Kili-yana-nickal, director of Bethania. The year-long program, which began on June 11th, covers public speaking skills in its initial phase, with Bible interpretation and preaching methods to be added later. Thomas Mannooran, a lay evangelist and participant in the program, said 55 people currently attend training sessions, which are held every second Saturday of the month. “Though we are guided by the Holy Spirit, there should be some training to polish our skills,” he added.