STEUBENVILLE, OH—Some 1,800 participants gathered at Franciscan University of Steubenville from 39 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 8 countries, some traveling from as far as Singapore, Kenya, and China, for the 25th annual Defending the Faith Conference, July 24-26, 2015. The conference featured renowned Catholic speakers and authors including Dr. Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Patrick Madrid, Dr. Peter Kreeft, Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, Mike Aquilina, Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, Jennifer Fulwiler, and musician Matt Maher, who shared personal stories and theological insights about how to better understand and defend the Catholic faith.

In his keynote talk, radio show host and Catholic evangelist Patrick Madrid spoke on how to articulate the faith while having to deal with issues our parents and grandparents never dealt with, such as legalized same-sex marriage and a rapidly increasing atheist population. In addressing such issues, Madrid said, “the power of testimony is huge.” Stories often lead others to conversion, he said. “Say to yourself, ‘Why am I Catholic?’ not just ‘Why are people Catholic?’ but ‘Why am I Catholic, and how would I explain that in my own words to somebody if somebody asks me about that?'”

“What the world needs more than anything is a living sign of unity through the Church,” said five-time Grammy-nominated worship leader Matt Maher during his talk, which detailed his return to Catholicism. Strumming his guitar, he quoted Jesus’ prayer in John 17, “I pray, Father, that they may be one, as you and I are one,” and explained that the way to truly impact people, effectively evangelize, and achieve unity is to show others Christ’s love through humility and a willingness to listen. Maher played several songs during his talk, including “Your Grace Is Enough,” a song he wrote while undergoing treatment for Hepatitis C, which he contracted from a blood transfusion. He performed a concert later that evening.

In her afternoon workshop, Jennifer Fulwiler, a former atheist turned Catholic radio show host and author, discussed the importance of reaching out in love to atheists. Speaking from personal experience and from the countless conversion stories she has heard, she said that first, it is vital to explain why we believe what we believe. Second, she warned conference participants not to view atheists and other non-Catholics as prizes to be won but rather as people to be loved. Finally, she reminded participants that “the work of conversion is God’s work, not ours.”

Prolific author and professor of philosophy at Boston College and King’s College, Peter Kreeft examined Russian novelist Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s controversial Harvard Commencement Address delivered in 1978. Kreeft views the address as “one of the greatest speeches in the history of civilization” because of its honest and accurate discussion of problems with Western culture such as materialism, a decline in courage, and spiritual weariness, the results of placing man before God. Agreeing with Solzhenitsyn’s solution that Americans must reach a balance in which they neither curse their physical nature nor ignore their spiritual nature, Kreeft offered hope for America, saying, “It’s never too late [to change].”

Dr. Scott Hahn, the Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, Professor of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville and founder of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, spoke on the importance of recalling the “deep memory” of who we are in Christ in order to effectively evangelize in America. He cited statistics from the PEW Research Center showing that faith in America has been declining, but also quoted St. Paul’s words that “where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.” He also talked about meaningful suffering, and how we need to realize that God uses suffering to bring us home to heaven, not to “get even with us” for our sins. He said we should struggle to avoid sin, not to avoid suffering.

In her keynote talk, Hahn’s wife and fellow author, Kimberly, explained the importance of fighting the spiritual battle alongside the Lord. “God has a plan for your life. So does the devil,” she said. “Listen to the Lord tell you who you are and what he has planned for you to do.” She emphasized that self-denial and discipline are key in fighting this battle, and that one way God strengthens us, especially during great suffering, is through gratitude. Prayer and Scripture, she added, are important offensive weapons we should use.

Ulf Ekman, a native of Sweden, and his wife, Birgitta, were charismatic evangelicals who founded a ministry and traveled through the former Soviet Union and other countries establishing Bible schools and churches. When God led them to Catholicism, they knew converting would be difficult due to the magnitude and constant growth of their ministry. However, Ulf realized that “there are two ways you can go into the water—you can go by the way of Jonah, or you can go by the way of Peter. One way or the other, it is time to get into the water.” The couple joined the Catholic Church in March last year.

The Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, spoke on the conference’s theme, “Always forward,” in relation to First Peter. He explained that in St. Peter’s time, hope was often thought of as wishful thinking, but Christians are given living hope that links us to the risen Christ and allows us to always move forward, even through suffering.

First-time Defending the Faith conference attendee Jeanette Houle, director of Youth Formation and Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Pilot Point, Texas, was impacted by the message of living the joy of the Gospel. “We’ve heard Pope Francis say over and over that there are too many grumpy Catholics,” said Houle. “How can we really be doing our best to be true to Christ and his Church if we are constantly wallowing?”

Chris Stroud traveled from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana, after hearing about the conference online. “It’s amazing how many people are here who are like-minded, serious Catholics,” said Stroud. “Usually, I feel like I’m the most serious Catholic in Mass. I don’t get that feeling here. And that’s impressive.”

During the conference, participants were given multiple opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and attend Mass. There was also a Holy Hour with a reflection by the Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda, archbishop of Newark, New Jersey.

Next year’s Defending the Faith Conference will feature a staged debate between Father Michael Schmitz, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, as the voice of the Church, and Patrick Madrid as the voice of secular culture.

This year, Franciscan University offered 5 adult, 2 young adult, and 21 youth conferences in 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces. For complete conferences information, visit www.steubenvilleconferences.com.