TESTIMONIALS
No cookie-cutter programs here…just customized, data- and Spirit-driven evangelization help.
What Pastors Say About Mission Ignite
“It has been a great experience.”
When we began the 10 month Mission Ignite process I was unsure what to expect. …It has been a great experience. Susan was easy to work with and her skills in organization and passion for evangelization were an excellent fit for us.
Beginning with a discipleship team we assessed the mission field – both within the parish through a survey and in the surrounding area via discussions with community leaders. We learned a lot. Susan synthesized this, helped us understand the four models of evangelization and what the best first steps for our parish could be. She took the role of facilitator which helped our team develop buy-in since the end result came from them. As we complete our formal meetings with Susan we have a three-year plan for moving forward.
The team and I are excited to start our work and see how the Spirit will work in our community of faith. I have already seen seeds of new life in my preaching and in the way our parish leaders and staff are approaching assessing programs and plans for the future. I highly recommend Susan Windley-Daoust and The Mark 5:19 Project.
“We all need allies in evangelization.”
We began Mission Ignite with prayer, wisdom, a process, and the kerygma….
Susan from The Mark 5:19 Project gathered with the parish discipleship team that I had assembled, prayed with us, and shared with us the wisdom she has gained through years of working with parishes and studying models of evangelization. Then she led us through a process of discerning our local mission field and where the Holy Spirit is at work in our parish to bring renewal, and all of this took place in the power of the kerygma, which she shared with the group.
We all need allies in evangelization: those to accompany us in the process of discernment, and those battled tested souls that will persevere with us in hope to let us know that evangelization can be done, and that it is all worth it. Susan is one of those allies and battle-tested souls, and Mission Ignite is a great opportunity to galvanize a parish’s commitment to evangelization.
…Mission Ignite has helped us to pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit and step out in faith in what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us. I highly recommend Susan Windley-Daoust and the Mission Ignite experience for parishes.
“Beyond what we had hoped for!”
Susan Windley-Daoust facilitated our parish discipleship leadership team with the goal of helping our parish to be more alive, welcoming, and active with evangelization of our parishioners through a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The outcome went beyond what we had hoped for during this year of discernment and personal growth! …The frequent statement that I hear from our parishioners is “a person would hardly recognize our parish from where we were three years ago. So much more is happening! People are enthusiastic about their faith and parish.”
This has been made possible by how Susan Windley-Daoust: (1) assisted the pastor in recruiting eleven parishioners through the discernment process to form the discipleship leadership team that met twice per month, (2) led a weekend working retreat for us at the beginning of this process, (3) met monthly on-site with the team, (4) had a “check-in” conference call monthly with the pastor, (5) led additional one-day retreats half way through and at the end of the year, and (6) helped us to “get going” and (7) evaluate where we had been and are now.
I strongly recommend Susan Windley-Daoust to pastors, staffs, and parishes having a mission to revive and renew your church community.
Praise for The Four Ways Forward
Why Parishes and Dioceses Love Working with
The Mark 5:19 Project
“Gets parishes focused on evangelization.”
Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust is an expert with a passion. Her approach to sharing the challenges of our church today, with direct and practical solutions to move forward make her one of the most practical speakers to get parishes focused on evangelization. Her willingness to guide meaningful and thought-provoking strategies for parishes provided a common point of initiating change. Dr. Susan uses her expertise and experience to share practical strategies and begin dialoguing on methodologies to help those in attendance realize change begins with each of them. The reviews from those who attended the Renewal conference in Buffalo shared that Dr. Susan’s insights give them hope for the future.
“Laser-focused on building discipleship.”
Susan and The Mark 5:19 Project are laser-focused on providing what parishes are looking for— especially when it comes to locally focused ways to bring Jesus to people and build discipleship…. Regardless of where you are on your own journey of missionary discipleship, she will be your biggest cheerleader, push you outside your comfort zone, and even make you laugh while she does it.
“Thinks outside the box.”
Susan has this amazing brain that can not only think outside the box, but can get your staff and parishioners thinking outside of the box too! Her experience and her energy will excite your people in a new way—I’d recommend every parish work with her!
“Susan gets it.”
Susan and her apostolate should not be overlooked by any parish or diocese seeking to move their people, parishes, and ministries into a truly missionary way of life. Susan gets it. Not only does she understand ministry and the complexities of parish and diocesan life, but she also grasps the real struggles of ordinary people, those who long to share their faith but often feel unsure, unprepared, or afraid. Susan recognizes that authentic culture change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes prayer, patience, and pastoral wisdom, and she brings all three in abundance.
“She adapted…to our unique context.”
Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust has been an invaluable presence at our last two Renewal Conferences.
Her presentations offered clear, practical strategies for diocesan healing and growth after bankruptcy and scandal. Drawing from her research and experience with other dioceses, she skillfully adapted her insights to our unique context.
What impressed us most was her deep investment—she listened, learned, and delivered usable, mission-focused tactics that continue to shape our path forward. Dr. Windley-Daoust didn’t just inspire us; she equipped us with hope, courage, and concrete ways to renew the Church from within.
“Susan delivered.”
Many thanks to Susan Windley-Daoust for a lovely and meaningful Parish Mission on forgiveness for our parish in Lent of 2025. In a year of great change for our parish we needed something introspective and healing, and Susan delivered. Broken relationships and unforgiven insults prevent us from growing and moving forward, and the feedback from attendees was that her visit was well-needed.
“What sets Susan apart…”
I think what sets Susan apart is her willingness to listen and prayerfully discern how she can best support you and your parish’s needs. If you are looking for somebody who will walk with you, and not just impose a cookie cutter template, Susan (and Mark 5:19) is great!
“Informative and motivating”
Susan is wonderful to work with, as a parish secretary I greatly appreciated her organization and guidance when creating a parish event! Our parishioners found her talks informative, motivating, and presented at a level that makes sense!
“…a way to find hope and joy.”
If anybody understands the way to reach out to people, to fire their imagination, to share the gospel in real and meaningful ways and to support pastors support their people it would be Susan.
Pastors…after learning from Susan and knowing how she lives the gospel all I can say is this mission is never going to be just a program. It’s a way to find Hope and bring Joy.
Diverse “theological and ministerial expertise…”
Susan Windley-Daoust is a rare and wonderful resource for individuals and communities within the Catholic Church. Her theological and ministerial expertise cut across many different important areas in Church life, including disability, scripture, Catholic social teaching, and more. Susan excels in bringing her considerable expertise into the practical domain of the Catholic faith. She is dedicated to enriching the experience of the Catholic faith for a diverse range of people using her many gifts. She is not only professionally brilliant but also personable, relatable, and a joy to work with.
