FAITH Catholic’s annual client meeting in Lansing, Mich., brought together representatives from 22 publications for editorial planning sessions that focused on the theme of “Grow+Go.” The goal of the conference was to help Catholic communicators further understand their unique and crucial roles in evangelization.

“At FAITH Catholic, we continue to expand our understanding of ourselves as evangelists who grow in discipleship to Jesus Christ, and go out and evangelize,” said Elizabeth Solsburg, vice president and editorial director. “‘Grow+Go’ is emerging as a major focus in FAITH magazine. We wanted to share with our clients the strategies that bring discipleship and evangelization to the forefront of diocesan communications.” 

FAITH Catholic’s annual client meeting returned to Lansing after being held for two years in conjunction with the Catholic Media Conference (CMC), first in Buffalo in 2015; then in St. Louis in 2016. “Even those clients who attended and enjoyed our meetings at the CMC encouraged us to bring it back to Lansing,” Solsburg explained. “There is a depth of camaraderie and connection that exists between our editors and the entire FAITH Catholic staff that is unique, and everyone wanted the chance to spend time together focused on the specific strategies of evangelizing through diocesan media.”

The two-day meeting included presentations by Elizabeth Solsburg; Patrick M. O’Brien, FAITH Catholic president and CEO; Peter Herbeck, vice president and director of missions for Renewal Ministries in
Ann Arbor, Mich.; Sheri Wohlfert, teacher, columnist and humorist; and Craig Pohl, director of New Evangelization for the Diocese
of Lansing.

“Our agenda this year focused intensely on specific aspects of discipleship and evangelization, and segued into brainstorming sessions about how those concepts could inform content for our publications,” Solsburg explained. “Every client magazine is unique and has its own editorial plan, but we all share a mission of bringing readers closer to Christ.”

“The response from our clients was overwhelmingly positive,” Solsburg added. “It was good to be home in Lansing and to welcome our clients and friends for a productive and inspiring meeting.”