Going Forth as Disciples

“In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.”

-Pope Francis

Going Forth As Disciples (GFAD) is a parish-based ministry which forms Christians to be missionary disciples. In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis calls on the Church to be missionary and that, “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.”

Thus, every disciple of Jesus Christ is a missionary. Many in the Church wonder, “What does it mean to be a missionary disciple?” GFAD prepares all the baptized to answer this question in their life. Through a process of prayer, discernment and preparation parishioners are prepared to go into their communities in ministry. This ministry, described as “accompaniment” by Pope Francis, is meant to engage others in spiritual friendship and draw them closer to Jesus and His mystical body, the Church.

GFAD is not a “program” of activity but a ministry of formation and missionary action meant for everyone in a parish. This ministry is made available in their parish by the Office of Formation in Discipleship of the Diocese of Crookston and currently 13 pastors connected to 28 parishes are participating in the first cohort. Deacons from the Office of Formation in Discipleship are working directly with pastors and parishioners in these parishes helping to form all Catholics to follow God’s call and go “on mission” in some unique way in their life.