Digital Evangelization Initiative Launch
Zain Masood Butt
Like this project
Posted Jan 27, 2026
Launch of The Evangelization Lab to innovate digital evangelization tools.
Likes
0
Views
0
The future of evangelization is being built
"The Internet can offer magnificent opportunities for evangelization... It is important that the Christian community think of practical ways to help those who first make contact through the Internet to move... to the real world of Christian community."
"It falls, in particular, to young people... to evangelize this 'digital continent'... Human hearts are yearning for a world where love endures... where unity is built... where freedom finds meaning in truth."
We haven't acted on what JPII invited us to 23 years ago…
The Church's evangelization efforts often struggle because they were designed for a world that no longer exists.
It seems we find it too risky to respond to the calling.
The Church Now Sees the Internet as the New Missionary Frontier
"This is the mission that the Church entrusts to each of you... Always look for the 'suffering flesh of Christ' in every brother and sister you encounter online."
We have never been afraid to enter new cultures in response to Christ's call. Why have we hesitated to enter the digital continent? The Church now urges us to act, acknowledging that we are "not well prepared for this" and that we "ought to dedicate resources to ensure that the digital environment becomes a prophetic space for mission and proclamation."
The mandate is clear: "Local Churches should encourage, sustain and accompany those who are engaged in mission in the digital environment."(cf. Final Document, 2024, para 113).
We treat evangelization like innovation. The Evangelization Lab is the Church's "R&D department".
It is a space to experiment, fail fast, and discover what actually works to bridge people from the digital sphere to the Sacramental reality.
We conduct and publish in-depth research, like our "Geography of the Digital Continent" series, to provide leaders with the strategic intelligence needed to navigate the new mission field with confidence.
We design and manage "Big Experiments": large-scale, data-driven online initiatives; to test and prove effective models for moving souls from digital engagement to Sacramental life.
We equip dioceses, parishes, and apostolates with frameworks and support to run "Small Experiments," empowering them to test and adapt outreach tactics for their specific communities.
Through YouTube and podcast shows, interactive guides, strategic planning, coaching and cohorts, we form and equip individuals and entire teams for the front lines of digital evangelization.
- Pew Research Center
They are living and forming their worldview on a continent where we are too often silent.
"So you have failed? You cannot fail. You have not failed; you have gained experience. Forward!"
— St. Josemaría Escrivá
We operate with fidelity to the Magisterium and in direct service to Pope Leo XIV and the Bishops in communion with him.
We test and develop new missionary methods, learning what works to bring people online to a Sacramental reality from both our successes and failures.
For 15 years a financial lawyer turned restaurateur and craft brewer in Monterrey, Mexico, José Manuel De Urquidi González finally accepted his call to help evangelize today's youth.
After years of behind-the-scenes work, The Evangelization Lab is now launching to experiment with ways to attract people online to Christian community life, the Sacraments, and Charity.
His online evangelization led to the Holy Father appointing José as a non-bishop voting delegate for the 2023-2024 Synod of Synodality in the Vatican. He advises dioceses and Catholic organizations as well as both the USCCB and Celam (Council of Bishops from Latin America and the Caribbean) on digital evangelization and accompaniment as well as on AI.
He, his wife Cecy, and their three kids are based in Dallas but often return to Monterrey. He continues to seek effective ways of bringing Christ's Truth and Love to the digital continent and the people there to the Church.
Will You Be Part of This New Missionary Chapter in the Life of the Church?
The Holy Spirit is calling us to a new apostolic age. We cannot continue doing the same things as before or that sort of work today. Partner with us to test and share what works to bring people online to Sacramental reality.
I Will Help Fulfill the Mission
Reaching souls online and introducing them to Christ´s Love and Mercy
Living and sharing the Gospel across the Digital Continent and accompanying people there to the fulness of the Truth.
Below are some of our current projects. In which ones is the fire in your heart burning and we should consider partnering?
People searching online for God has been growing. Searches on how to become Catholic have also been growing. The Church hasn´t been ready. This app meets them wherever they are in their journey and bridges directly into the in-person.
Mapping the mission field with reports that equip the Church for effective evangelization. In Q2 of 2026, we will publish the first ever "The Virtual to Sacramental Journey Research".
Will partner with one of the top Catholic publishers to publish books and guidebooks regarding online evangelization and accompaniment.
Turning insights from the Evangelization Lab´s findings into impact by sharing practical toolkits, data, case studies, and research that help ministries move people from online interest to Sacramental life.
Or you can also choose to support financially. Because money is also needed for the mission.
A donation to support God´s Love, Mercy; The Truth, being known online
The Evangelization Lab is an initiative of Juan Diego & Friends Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas.