Story by Carly York | Correspondent

“Welcome!” Kristen Brindley said as she handed “Joy to the World” reflection books and pens to the hundreds entering the gymnasium Feb. 1 in St. James School, Red Bank, for an evening of evangelization and music.

Irish folk music greeted the 1,000 faithful as those from the parishes of St. James and St. Anthony of Padua, both Red Bank; Nativity, Fair Haven; St. Leo the Great, Lincroft, and others bumped into friends at “Reboot! Live!” – an event led by founder Chris Stefanick designed to motivate the faithful to become more engaged in their parish communities and energized about being Catholic.

Photo Gallery: Hundreds energized at ‘Reboot!’

The event was hosted by the campus ministry in Red Bank Catholic High School and the parishes of St. James, St. Anthony of Padua and Nativity. In addition to the evening discussion, Stefanick’s two-day visit included addressing some 600 Confirmation students from five area parishes at Nativity Parish and giving a talk about chastity to the entire Red Bank Catholic student body.

But for the evening presentation, Stefanick opened with the topic of love.

“We all love the experience of love. An act of love is the foundation of our human existence,” the internationally renowned Catholic speaker and author said. “But we come into this world looking for a love that is bigger than us.”

On the existence and nature of God as well as the nature of humanity, he said, “God had you in mind before the Big Bang. Our faith doesn’t just teach us who God is, it teaches us who we are – precious, worth dying for!”

Stefanick then focused on leading the audience to re-establish their personal relationship with God. “We don’t have to agree with everyone about everything to love them anyway.”

He said that in the end, a life without the love of God is a life without purpose. Right before breaking for an intermission, Stefanick asked everyone to put their hands on their hearts as he led the group in a prayer of confession and a request for God to join them in personal friendship. The Irish music group The Kells moved the audience from prayer into mediation through the song, “Lord, I Need You,” by contemporary Christian artist Matt Maher.

During the break, Stefanick told The Monitor that his parents took him to a church revival event similar to “Reboot! Live!” when he was in eighth grade.

“On that night, I knew I was called to ministry,” he said, admitting that originally, he had not wanted to attend the event with his parents.

But Stefanick, a native of Ringwood in the Diocese of Paterson, ended up leaving home at age 18 to attend the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. He became a youth minister and worked at various parishes around the country. However, more than four years ago, he decided to go full time into evangelization ministry. By this summer, he will have visited eight countries and toured the entire United States, proclaiming the Gospel and inviting Catholics back to have a relationship with the Church.

“Nothing is more important than the message for the Gospel,” he said. “We need to show the world that we are a Church of the love of Jesus and his Gospel message, rather than a Church of rituals and rules.”

Those who attended the evening presentation said they found Stefanick’s message meaningful.

“Chris has a passionate message about living out the Catholic faith in our world today. He gives people hope and inspiration,” said Father Joseph Jakub, parochial vicar in St. James Parish.

Peter Stajk of Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, said he wanted to attend because he was curious about the “Reboot” program.

“I wanted to go to a big event with other Christians and talk to them and hear their stories,” he said. “I think you can learn a lot when you get together with other people and reflect on God in person.”

Jessica Kortenhaus, music director in St. Mary Parish, Middletown, was invited to the event by a coworker.

“I thought it would be a nice way to get refreshed before going into the Lenten season,” she said. “As a music minister, many times we are the ones ministering to other people, so I thought it would be a nice opportunity to be ministered to.”

She said the event was a reminder not to become complacent in one’s faith journey.

“It is important to share our faith in all different situations, even when it may seem awkward to do so, through our actions and words,” she said. “The ideas that Chris Stefanick gave were small, practical ways to help us enhance our faith lives.”

Sixth-grader Christopher Stype took home some practical advice from the event, too.

The student from Holy Cross School, Rumson, said that he learned about the five natural habits of holy people, which Stefanick discussed in the second half of the program. Stefanick said the five habits people need are to live a holy and love-filled life: love yourself; pray; share the Gospel; have close friendship, and reboot when you get off track.

“I am going to look over them every day and try to put them into practice if I can,” Stype said.

The biggest takeaway of the night, Megan Conlon of St. James Parish, said, was “whatever wounds you carry, or struggles you have … rest assured that God loves you. Jesus loves you. You are valued.”