In 1998, Tim and Sandy Kruse founded the Evangelical Catholic (EC) in Madison, Wisconsin with a burning question: Why weren’t Catholics being formed as missionary disciples?
Though raised Catholic, Tim had never been evangelized. His first personal encounter with Jesus came through Protestant friends, eventually leading him to become a Protestant pastor. But through deep study of the early Church Fathers, Tim rediscovered the richness of the Catholic tradition, and came home to the Church. Yet he couldn’t shake the sense that something vital was missing: Catholics weren’t being equipped to evangelize.
That’s where the mission of the Evangelical Catholic began.
Starting with a small group in their parish, they wrote a discussion guide, trained lay leaders, and helped them lead their own groups. Word spread. More leaders were trained. More people were discipled. A movement had begun.
That movement became the Evangelical Catholic, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Catholic ministries launch and sustain lay-led evangelization.
It started with campus ministries. Then parishes. EC developed Reach More™, a digital coaching platform, and Nextstep, a companion discipleship tool. These resources, along with one-on-one coaching, help Catholic leaders activate the evangelizing power already present in their communities.
Since then, the EC has partnered with over 220 parishes, campus ministries, dioceses, military chaplaincies, and organizations. A dedicated staff continues to walk with leaders and equip everyday Catholics to live and share their faith.
We believe evangelization isn’t optional—it’s central. And we exist to guide leaders who are ready to answer that call.
How do you actually build a culture of evangelization? We’ve spent years developing a practical, Spirit-led process that helps ministries equip laypeople for mission
Lives are being changed, communities renewed, and parishes awakened. See how ministries like yours are bearing fruit through partnership with the Evangelical Catholic.
Meet the faithful leaders guiding our mission with clarity, wisdom, and prayerful vision for the Church’s future.
They’re the ones making things happen, praying for your ministry, and celebrating every win with you.
Our founders, Tim and Sandy Kruse, wrote the first EC discussion guide and met weekly with a small group of potential leaders from their parish.
The Evangelical Catholic was launched as a 501(c)(3).
Tim went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to launch a similar movement of evangelization among lay students.
First campus ministry partnerships outside Wisconsin.
Launch of EC parish ministry partnerships.
The first version of the Reach More™ online coaching service was released.
We released Nextstep, a discipleship tool to be used alongside Reach More.
We hosted our first Priests for an Apostolic Age conference for over 125 mission-minded priests in Dallas, TX.
EC Life launches to sustain lifelong missionary discipleship.
These values shape everything we do from how we build relationships, to how we train leaders, to how we serve the Church. They keep us grounded, focused, and joyful in the work of evangelization.
1 Corinthians 9:24–25 – “Run so as to win.”
We bring urgency, passion, and total commitment to the mission of Jesus Christ. We believe this work matters eternally, and we give it our full energy and devotion.
This looks like:
Approaching every training, resource, and partnership with prayerful intensity
Going the extra mile for our ministry partners
Celebrating every step of growth in the people and communities we serve
Proverbs 22:29 – “Do you see someone skillful in their work? They will serve before kings.”
We strive to serve with high standards, attention to detail, and a spirit of professionalism—because our mission deserves our best.
This looks like:
Delivering polished, field-tested content and tools
Preparing thoroughly for coaching sessions and events
Welcoming feedback and continually improving how we serve
Ephesians 4:15 – “Speaking the truth in love…”
We value honest, loving communication. Whether it’s within our team or with our ministry partners, we believe clarity and trust are built through truth.
This looks like:
Having direct but compassionate conversations
Naming what’s not working, and helping fix it
Creating a culture where feedback is welcomed, not feared
Ecclesiastes 8:15 – “I commend mirth…”
We take joy seriously. Laughter, camaraderie, and celebration are essential to life in Christ and the relationships we build along the way.
This looks like:
Bringing joy and warmth into meetings, trainings, and gatherings
Celebrating milestones in ministry and in life
Making space for humor and humanity in the midst of serious work
1 Corinthians 9:19–23 – “I have become all things to all, to save at least some.”
We adapt to serve the unique needs of every person and ministry. Evangelization isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is our approach.
This looks like:
Customizing our coaching and resources for each parish, campus, or chaplaincy
Listening carefully to understand cultural and pastoral realities
Staying flexible and creative as we accompany diverse leaders
Your support empowers Catholics to live out their baptismal call to evangelize, bringing Christ into their families, parishes, and communities.
6602 Normandy Lane FL 2
Madison, WI 53719
Phone: (608) 820-1288
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