Brad Colvis, associate director of evangelization and director of youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Peoria since 2006, has accepted a position with the Diocese of Sacramento in California as associate director of catechesis in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

Colvis’ last day with the diocese was Friday, Aug. 13, and he begins his new duties in Sacramento on Sept. 7.

In the Diocese of Peoria, Colvis has coordinated the Theology on Tap outreach for young adults and had key roles in planning diocese-wide events including youth rallies and evangelization conferences. He helped cultivate leaders for parish youth programs, was active in the organization of parish Scripture series and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and coordinated the visits of the National Evangelization Team (NET) to central Illinois.

Patricia Gibson, diocesan chancellor, said the diocese is “immensely grateful to Brad for all of his hard work and dedication to the people of this diocese. We wish him and his family all the best.”

Theology on Tap in the diocese will now be coordinated by Craig Dyke, associate director of the Office of Marriage and Family.

In Sacramento, Colvis will lead annual efforts including a Scripture institute, lay leadership formation institute, and catechetical institute, as well as assist the diocese’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

He told The Catholic Post there were several “providential moments’ as he explored the opportunity in Sacramento, including receiving encouragement from Bishop Jaime Soto to implement into diocesan ministry themes Colvis is now developing in his doctoral dissertation entitled “Lifelong Catechetical Formation and Sunday.” He is pursuing a research Ph.D. in Catholic Studies from Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, England.

Colvis said he will miss the friendships he developed in the Diocese of Peoria, including among the Curia, young adults, and clergy. He cited “the collaboration and camaraderie” he shared while serving here, and the “joy of bringing the Gospel to those God brings in our path.”

Raised Catholic, Colvis explored other Christian denominations in college and eventually was ordained in the Reformed Episcopal church. After his journey of faith led him back to the Catholic Church, he resigned his Anglican parish in Texas on May 8, 2005, and Colvis and his family came into the Catholic Church the following week.

That fall Colvis accepted a position as a church history teacher with Peoria Notre Dame High School. He also assisted the diocesan Office of Catechetics part-time until his appointment as director of youth and young adult ministry and associate director of evangelization the following July.

He expressed gratitude to Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, for “the risk he took in opening the door to ministry” to someone who had just returned to the church, and especially thanked Father Doug Grandon and Deacon Greg Serangeli for being his mentors and friends.

Colvis, his wife Natalie, and their five children will reside just north of Sacramento.