Welcome!
Since 2005, I’ve appreciated having a space online to share my thoughts, reflections, etc. I created this Substack to house my thoughts on ministry, evangelization, discipleship, parish life, etc. I hope you enjoy it and that it becomes a source of creative thought, inspiration in ministry, deeper conversion!
Why “The Missionary Initiative”
When someone grows so deeply in their relationship with God, it begins to bear fruit. This is known as the Missionary Initiative. It’s an initiative taken by God, through you, as you surrender yourself into His loving care and guidance. In my experience, the most authentic and fruitful work of evangelization happens when one has truly become a disciple of Jesus and is allowing His initiative to take place in and through them! Most of my reflections and thoughts share on this blog give insight into this simple concept.
About Eric
Eric Gallagher is a dedicated ministry leader with over 20 years of full-time experience. Starting in 2003, he built a parish youth ministry program from the ground up, growing it into a vibrant community of over 50 active youth weekly, and a core volunteer team of 7 adults, in a parish of roughly 1100 families. From 2010 to 2023, as Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry, Eric expanded a summer missionary program from 16 missionaries serving in 28 parishes to 24 missionaries serving in 42 parishes each summer. He also grew diocesan summer camps from two to three and increased youth rally participation from 1,200 to nearly 2,000 annually before Covid. Eric founded Going Deeper Retreats for young people seeking to grow in faith, starting with five participants and peaking at nearly 80. With a deep understanding of youth ministry in the Diocese of Sioux Falls (a rural diocese), he recognizes the needs of today’s youth and has a passion for serving them well. Eric credits the fruitfulness of his ministry to God’s grace working through a simple vision of discipleship focused ministry.
Eric is married and has four children. He serves as the Executive Director of Suscipe and the President of the Suscipe Board of Directors. He also has a Masters in Theology from the Augustine Institute.
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