Thomas Rutkoski — Author, Journalist and Catholic Evangelist

Thomas Rutkoski, a fallen-away Catholic for 27 years, worked at KDKA TV, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most of his 20-year career there was as chief photojournalist. In the early 1980s, his work took him to Jerusalem where God began to piece together his dramatic journey to conversion. Later the Lord caused Thomas to visit Lourdes and then Fatima where additional pieces of the mosaic of his conversion were put into place. After a time and overwhelmed by Christ's intervention, he relinquished his television career to travel the world, telling all who would listen how God changed his life. When he introduced himself to the Church as a Catholic evangelist, the response he heard most often was, "You're a what?" Thomas now shares his journey of faith with others in many ways. He considers himself a prodigal son and tantamount to the leper who returned to say thank you to Jesus.

In 1990, Thomas founded a Catholic, nonprofit foundation dedicated to evangelization and humanitarian efforts called Gospa Missions, Gospa being Polish for Our Lady. He mounted this great effort to fulfill a promise he made to Christ in gratitude for his conversion. This new evangelist became very Gospel-based and was invited to speak in Catholic churches throughout the world. The Mission's small beginnings have grown to include worldwide retreats, conferences, prison ministry, healing ministry, speaking engagements, publishing and humanitarian efforts. Eight years into the conversion process Thomas's wife, Mary, came on board after her 23-year sabbatical from the Catholic faith.

The presentations Thomas delivers have reached and helped convert thousands of souls through Jesus, Mary and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thomas has authored four books: Apostles of the Last Days , Miracles and How to Work Them, Great Divide and My Scriptural Rosary. Thousands are being called back to Jesus because of these volumes.

Thomas resigned his position at KDKA in the spring of 1991 to run Gospa Missions full-time. For ten years of that period he did so with no salary. Since February of 1992, Gospa Missions has published a monthly Catholic newsletter with an international circulation. Closer to home, Thomas is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and has served as a Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and member of his parish council.

A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.
Luke 7:43-44

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