Did St Patrick invent friendship evangelism?

St Patrick is one of the most celebrated saints in Christian history, yet the real story of his life is often overshadowed by myths of shamrocks and snakes. He was a man who transformed his pain into purpose, choosing love over resentment. He pioneered a method of evangelism that prioritised relationships over religious transactions. His example is something the Church desperately needs to recover today.

Born into a fourth century Roman British family, his early life was comfortable. But despite his family’s faith, Patrick was not particularly devout. That changed dramatically when, aged just 16, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold into slavery.

For six years, Patrick endured loneliness, hunger and the harsh elements while being forced to work as a shepherd. With nothing else to hold onto, he turned to Christ, later writing that he would pray as many as 100 times a day.

Imagine loving people because it is what Christ commanded, regardless of whether they ever convert

After escaping his captors and enduring a harrowing journey back to Britain, Patrick entered religious training and eventually became a bishop. Although bishops of his time typically directed others to be missionaries, he knew no one else had the same burden for the Irish as he did. He understood their language, culture, fears and hopes. And so, in one of the most radical moments in Christian history, Patrick returned to the very people who had held him as a slave, not out of revenge, but out of love.

Revolutionary mission

Patrick’s return to Ireland was not just courageous; it was revolutionary. The Roman Catholic model of evangelism at this time followed a strict sequence. First, one would hear the message of Christ. If convinced, they would profess faith, and only then would they be welcomed into Christian community.

Patrick flipped this model upside down. His approach, as outlined in George Hunter’s The Celtic Way of Evangelism, put the steps in a different order. First, fellowship. Rather than demanding immediate belief, Patrick and his team moved in, built relationships, shared meals and became part of daily life. Second, ministry and conversation. Through caring for the poor, prayer and conversation, Patrick’s team tangibly showed the love of Jesus. Finally, belief and invitation. Only after establishing trust and seeing love in action did people begin to ask questions and express a desire for Christian faith. Conversion to Christianity was the result of a journey, not a transaction.

This deeply relational approach was incredibly effective. Within a generation, much of Ireland had embraced Christianity. Not through force or fear, but through the compelling witness of a faith lived out in love.

A different way

Patrick’s story is more than history; it’s a challenge to the modern Church. In a world increasingly sceptical of religious institutions, where many see Christianity as judgmental or irrelevant, Patrick’s model offers a way forward.

Many of today’s evangelical efforts still follow the old pattern: present the gospel, seek a decision, then offer community. It can seem impersonal, rigid and many people won’t even stick around long enough for step one. In an age where trust in religious institutions is horribly low, expecting people to commit before they belong is a losing strategy.

Patrick’s way is different. It starts with love. It starts with relationships, not arguments. It invites people into a journey, rather than requesting an immediate decision. It demonstrates the gospel through actions before preaching it with words.

Through caring for the poor, prayer and conversation, Patrick’s team tangibly showed the love of Jesus

Imagine a Church that lived out the example of Patrick. A Church where people experienced belonging before believing, and where ministry was not a means to an end but an end in itself. Imagine loving people because it is what Christ commanded us to do, regardless of whether they ever convert.

This is what the Church desperately needs today. A return to radical love, radical presence and radical patience.

A new legacy

St. Patrick’s legacy is not in shamrocks, parades or pints in the pub. It is in the way he loved. He had every reason to hate his captors but, instead, he gave his life to serve them.

If the Church today wants to transform the world, we don’t need better arguments, we need better love. We don’t need more debates; we need more community. We need to go back to Patrick’s example. We need to go back to the man who walked among his enemies, loved them as his friends, and transformed a nation because of it.

That’s a legacy worth celebrating every day, but especially on St Patrick’s Day.