The Kerygma Camp aims to raise up a generation of missionary disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit and able to proclaim the Gospel and build the Kingdom of God together.
It is an initiative of the Catholic Church for the Catholic Church. And for its first edition in France, the team leading the project reached out to Together We Plant, which has been training people in evangelism and discipleship for many years across the French-speaking world.
A shared desire: to make Jesus known and lift Him up.
What particularly touched us during this Kerygma Camp was the unity experienced throughout the event. Everyone present was there for Jesus, to learn how to share what He accomplished on the cross. Because that is exactly where everyone’s eyes were fixed: on the cross, on what unites us.
From the second evening, during a major vigil bringing together around a hundred priests in congress, Manuel and Nancy were able to share about mission and unity. In a world often marked by division, seeing believers gathered around Jesus and a shared desire to make His love known was deeply encouraging.
The following days were dedicated to training the students. They learned how to write their personal testimony and share it simply and authentically. They then immediately put it into practice in the streets of Lyon. It was powerful to see how quickly theory gave way to real encounters and lives being impacted.
It was my first time speaking in front of priests. And although there were many of them, I didn’t hesitate to share what God had placed on my heart. It was a beautiful experience, but what impacted me the most were the words of one of the priests at the end of the evening: “Thank you for the fire.” — Nancy
The Gospel confirmed by signs.
During the journey to the first outreach, a zealous student spotted an elderly man in the distance. He was walking with difficulty, using a cane. Without hesitation, the student went to meet him and prayed for him. The man began to feel improvement and eventually complete relief from his physical pain. Witnessing compassion turn into concrete action deeply impacted the team.
The next day, in the same area, a young woman was also touched by God. She suffered from a pelvic misalignment that had affected her walking for a long time. So used to her condition, when asked what her issue was, she first said she had none. Then, after walking a few meters away, she stopped and came back, both puzzled and curious.
Seated on a tram stop bench, it was observed that one leg appeared about a centimeter shorter than the other. But after two short prayers, the imbalance was gone. She could hardly believe it, and when she noticed her changed walk, she shouted with joy.
Thank you Jesus! Only He can touch people so precisely. At that moment, some of the students who had never witnessed healings felt their faith strengthened.
Sowing and reaping immediately.
Another powerful moment of this Kerygma Camp took place on the banks of the Saône River. As a student was proclaiming the Gospel, a young man listened attentively. He acknowledged that he believed in God, while also admitting that he was living far from Him. And despite the presence of many friends around him, he was not intimidated. Moved by the message, he chose to pray a prayer of repentance and asked Jesus to save him.
This simple yet powerful moment reminded us that God knows how to touch hearts when the Gospel is shared with love and truth. It was also the fruit of a seed that had just been sown. The students were surprised to see the Holy Spirit move so perfectly, so powerfully.
My favorite day during these camps where we learn to proclaim the Gospel is the first outreach. It’s the day when transformation is most evident. And once again, we saw students who thought they were shy being carried by the Spirit and proclaiming with authority. — Jordan
A generation is rising.
During this week, 895 people heard the Gospel in the streets of Lyon, 17 people gave their lives to Jesus, and 10 testified of healing. These numbers are proof that Jesus is alive and that proclaiming Him is not an option!
Each day of this camp, wherever we went, we saw that He saves, heals, and restores. And we also rejoice to see that He is sending out a generation ready to proclaim the Gospel in their daily lives.