How to Spread the Gospel at Work

As Catholics, we are called to share our faith with others. When many of us think of evangelism, we picture going door to door or doing mission work in a far-flung place. The reality is that we don’t have to go far to find people who need to know the good news of Jesus Christ. Other than your family, there’s likely no one you spend as much time with as your coworkers.

Have you ever seen your workplace as a mission field? Perhaps you want to steward your faith, but you feel uncertain about how to evangelize at work. The following are some actionable suggestions to help you spread the gospel to your coworkers.

Before you begin witnessing at work, having an understanding of evangelism and the motive behind it can help you find ways to connect about faith naturally with others. Sharing Jesus in the workplace with our coworkers can feel difficult or awkward at times, so for many Christians, it can be easy to keep the gospel to ourselves. To step outside of our comfort zones, we need to understand how and why we are called to evangelize — and when a moment may offer the opportunity to evangelize in a way that speaks to colleagues and friends.

The Bible tells us repeatedly to share the gospel with those who need to hear it. Pope Paul VI even made the bold declaration that the Church “exists in order to evangelize.” So how can we fulfill our mission to bear witness to those around us? Evangelism becomes more natural when we are confident in our faith. Saint Paul says in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for the Jew first, and then Greek.” When you grasp the power of the gospel, its transforming message generates excitement to share this good news with others.

That doesn’t mean you need to grab a megaphone and preach to everyone you encounter. For most people, a subtle approach tends to work better.  According to 1 Peter 3:15-16, Christians should be prepared to explain where their hope comes from but that we should “do it with gentleness and reverence.” Likewise, Colossians 4:5-6 says when you have the opportunity to talk with unbelievers, you should “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.”

This should be good news for anyone who is afraid of boldly preaching wherever they go. While this type of evangelism may work in certain situations, when you’re witnessing to your coworkers or other people you know, you can take a gentler approach. In fact, some evangelism can be done through actions instead of words. People who see you living your life up close should notice a difference between you and others based on your actions.

Recall that Saint Peter mentioned the hope Christians have. That hope should be something that attracts attention from your coworkers and makes them wonder if you have something in your life that they are missing. They should also see you doing good works. As Matthew 5:16 says, “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Everything from your general attitude at work to the way you treat others can be a powerful witness.

There is no exact recipe for successful evangelism or how to witness at work. It can look different for different people. In general, though, Catholic evangelism should look like living a life that points to Christ and taking opportunities to share the gospel in a way that is warm and gracious.

With your motive and mission in mind, here are some practical Catholic evangelization ideas that can help you at work.

If you have trouble bringing up your religion in conversation, you can let your coworkers know you’re a believer through your choices in desk decorations. Find a picture with a Bible verse you treasure or simply write down some verses and post them around your desk. Choose some key verses that encapsulate the good news of the gospel, such as:

• John 3:16-17
• Romans 3:23-25
• Romans 5:8
• 1 Timothy 1:15
• 1 Peter 2:24-25

These verses can serve to inspire you as well as make an impression on your coworkers.

Inviting people to attend mass is a great way to introduce them to the gospel, but you may struggle to find the right opportunity to share this invitation. In American culture, even people who are not religious may want to attend mass on a religious holiday, such as Easter or Christmas. This may be the perfect time to invite coworkers to your church.

If a coworker is dealing with something difficult in their life — whether it’s a sick child, the death of a loved one or just a stressful day — you can share Jesus with your coworker by offering to pray for them. Even people who do not have faith in God likely see this as a kind gesture. In some cases, you can even offer to pray for them out loud in the moment. Follow up with your coworker to let them know you’re continuing to pray for them. Your kindness and commitment to your coworker’s well-being may help them recognize the deep hope of Christ that anchors your life.

You can also evangelize by being an open book with your coworkers. Being vulnerable and transparent in conversations makes it feel more natural to discuss your faith. For example, you could let a coworker know that you’re worried about a certain situation, and you’re praying about it and trusting God. Or, you might discuss something you learned recently at mass or through a Christian article online. Simply sharing your life in a transparent way can help create an avenue for important, difficult conversations with your coworkers.

Finally, one of the best ways you can let your light shine at work is by being the best employee you can be. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others.” Embracing this verse with a strong work ethic and a positive attitude can greatly enhance your witness to both superiors and peers at work. If people at work ask you why you act the way you do, give God the credit for your attitude and work ethic.

Many people wonder how they can spread the gospel at work, but spreading the gospel at work is possible. With a proper understanding of evangelism and simple ways to call attention to your faith rather than hide it, you can witness each day. Live as a steward of the faith in the everyday conversations and things that take place at work, and be ready to take it a step further if a curious coworker asks you to share more with them.

If you seek prayers to be bolder in your evangelism or for any other need in your life, submit your prayer intention to Catholic World Mission. We believe in the power of prayer, and we will lift up your request before God.