Texas: In an era where faith and technology increasingly converge, a groundbreaking virtual conference aims to inspire Catholics to become dynamic “digital missionaries” for the Church. The Engage Virtual Summit, organized by eCatholic, will take place online from October 21–22, gathering clergy, religious, and lay participants to explore the vast potential of evangelization in the digital landscape.
The two-day summit will bring together some of the most influential voices in Catholic media and ministry, including Monsignor James Shea, Monsignor Roger Landry, Alex Jones (co-founder of the Hallow app), Katie McGrady, a well-known Catholic radio host, and renowned evangelist Chris Stefanick, among others. Through keynote sessions, workshops, and discussions, the event seeks to offer participants both spiritual renewal and practical tools for spreading the Gospel online.
According to eCatholic’s leadership team, the summit was conceived as a space for the Church to intentionally engage the digital realm with creativity, compassion, and faith. “We’ve had this idea for years,” said Brandon Duncan, marketing evangelist at eCatholic. “But it wasn’t until last September that we brought it to life. By the grace of God, everything has fallen into place beautifully, and we’re thrilled to see what this means for the Church as a whole.”
This year’s theme, “Made for Mission,” reflects the Church’s universal call to evangelization both in person and online. Jason Jaynes, president and CEO of eCatholic, explained that the summit’s goal is to empower Catholics who are active in what Pope Francis has called the “digital continent.”
“The conference is meant to engage everyone priests, ministry leaders, communicators, educators, media professionals anyone who desires to reach people in the digital world,” Jaynes said. “We’re offering practical strategies and inspiration to help them embrace this mission with confidence.”
Michael Josephs, eCatholic’s marketing director, emphasized that the theme captures the essence of the Church’s purpose. “We are, as humans and as a Church, made for mission,” he said. “This theme resonates across every level of ministry and reminds us that evangelization is not optional it’s who we are.”
The Engage Virtual Summit comes at a time when the Vatican itself has underscored the importance of digital evangelization. Earlier this year, the Church celebrated the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries, marking a historic moment for Catholics involved in online outreach. It also saw the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis, a young digital evangelist whose life exemplified how technology can be used to bring souls closer to God.
Reflecting on these milestones, Josephs noted, “The online world isn’t perfect it’s filled with distractions and negativity. But rather than ignore it, the Church is called to enter it, to be a light in that space.”
Jaynes added that there is a growing spiritual hunger in today’s society that digital missionaries are uniquely positioned to address. “We’re witnessing a cultural shift where people are beginning to see through the emptiness of secular narratives,” he said. “There’s a yearning for purpose and joy that only faith can satisfy.”
The summit’s sessions will not only provide theological insight but also hands-on guidance for effective digital ministry. Participants will learn about storytelling, online community-building, video evangelization, and social media engagement all through a faith-centered lens.
“We want attendees to walk away with real, actionable skills new strategies, inspiration, and a renewed sense of zeal,” said Josephs. “Whether it’s running a parish website, managing a social media page, or producing content for evangelization, this summit is about empowering them to do it with excellence and authenticity.”
Jaynes described the summit as a “retreat-style experience,” offering attendees an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recharge spiritually before returning to their ministries. “It’s a chance to go up the mountain, pray, and seek wisdom,” he said. “Then, when they come down, they’re ready to re-enter the mission field with renewed energy.”
For eCatholic, this event marks a milestone in their ongoing mission to help parishes, dioceses, and schools harness digital tools for evangelization. By fostering collaboration between faith leaders, communicators, and technologists, the Engage Virtual Summit hopes to spark a movement of renewed purpose one that carries the message of Christ to the furthest reaches of the digital world.
As the Church continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving digital culture, initiatives like the Engage Virtual Summit signal a new era of missionary creativity. Through technology, faith communities can bridge distances, reach new audiences, and accompany souls seeking meaning in the modern world.
“Ultimately, our hope,” said Duncan, “is that participants will not just learn, but feel called called to go forth and bring the light of Christ into the digital spaces where people are searching for truth and hope.”