What We’ve Learned About Soul Winning in Catholic Communities
By Jonathan Ashcraft – Missionary to Northern Mexico
Reaching people in deeply Catholic communities can feel intimidating to some. For us, it has been a journey of learning, adjusting, and seeing the Holy Spirit work in powerful ways. Since 2007, my wife, Jenny, and I have served as missionaries in Monterrey, Mexico—a region where nearly everyone has Catholic roots.
Here’s what we’ve learned over nearly two decades of soul winning among Catholics:
1. They’re Not Closed—They’re Confused
One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that Catholics aren’t open to the gospel. In our experience, the opposite is true. Most people we meet have a basic knowledge of the Bible, but it’s been distorted by religious tradition. They’re familiar with terms like sin, salvation, Jesus, Mary—but they don’t always understand what those words truly mean in light of Scripture.
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2. Don’t Attack Their Error—Work Around It
Our approach is simple: don’t go on the offensive. Instead of confronting error head-on, we try to patiently and lovingly present the truth. For example, when someone brings up the Virgin Mary, I often respond with,
“We believe everything the Bible says about Mary.”
That one sentence does a lot to put people at ease. It lowers their defenses and allows us to focus the conversation on the gospel.
3. Build Bridges, Not Barriers
When someone tells me they’re Catholic, I often say,
“I love those beautiful old Catholic cathedrals. They don’t build churches like that anymore!”
It’s not flattery—it’s connection. That little bit of common ground opens the door to something much more important: the good news of salvation by grace through faith.
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4. The Harvest Is Real and Ripe
We’ve seen many people come to Christ after being deeply entrenched in Catholicism. In fact, I would estimate that 60% of our current church members were once Catholic.
One man even told us that he used to want to become a Catholic priest. Then he heard a clear gospel presentation, and he gave his life to Jesus Christ. Stories like his are not the exception—they're common.
5. Let the Gospel Speak First
Sometimes people have objections or doctrinal questions. But rather than getting into a debate, I’ll say:
“Can I share with you God’s full plan of salvation, and then I’ll answer your questions?”
Almost always, by the time they’ve heard the gospel and prayed to receive Christ, the questions fade away. The truth has done its work.
6. Love and Logic Work Together
If you’re trying to reach a Catholic friend or neighbor, my advice is simple:
Don’t preach at them.
Show them love and the life of Christ through your testimony.
Ask honest questions that help them think deeply about what they believe and why.
7. Pray for the Open and the Opposed
In northern Mexico, we thankfully don’t face much opposition from the Catholic Church. But we know that in other regions of Mexico, it can be dangerous—even life-threatening—to preach the gospel.
Please pray for safety and boldness, especially for national pastors and missionaries in those areas.
Final Thoughts
Soul winning in Catholic communities is not about clever arguments or theological sparring. It’s about patience, clarity, love, and consistency. When we lead with grace and truth, God opens hearts.
We’ve seen it—again and again.
If you have questions about how to reach Catholics in your area, or if you'd like to see the work firsthand, reach out through our contact page or come visit us here in Mexico. We'd love to share more with you.
Photo credit: Eugenio Felix
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