EquipCast
Encouragement and inspiration for sharing your catholic faith
About the show
Sharing your Catholic faith with family and friends can sometimes feel daunting. Where do I start? How do I make an impact? Welcome to EquipCast, a weekly podcast from the Archdiocese of Omaha. We want to support your faith journey and equip you with the tools to express your faith authentically in your everyday life.
Each week, we’ll discuss practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world. Each episode is filled with encouragement and inspiration so you can make an impact and make disciples in your own faith community. For more information and to stay connected with us, head to equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.
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Episodes and Blog Entries
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Episode 170: How Young Adults Can Find Their Place After College
Episode | December 17th, 2024 | 1 hr 15 secs
archo young adults, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic young adults, community building, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, faith journey, grassroots movement, holy spirit guidance, making disciples, mentorship, missionary disciples, omaha archdiocese, parish involvement, post-college transition, service and charisms, spiritual growth, young adult challenges, young adult ministry
Can young adults find their place in a faith community after college? Young adults often face the loss of their college community and the challenge of building new connections. They tend to feel isolated and unsure of how to integrate into a parish. Overcoming this involves actively seeking out parish activities, being open to making friends across different age groups, and finding ways to serve. In this episode, we explore the unique struggles and opportunities for young adults striving to remain connected to their faith after graduation. Today’s guest, Matt Keller, shares his inspiring journey of founding Arch O Young Adults, an apostolate dedicated to helping young adults navigate these transitions. Matt offers practical advice on creating meaningful relationships, staying rooted in prayer, and trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Whether you're a young adult or someone looking to support this age group, this conversation is full of insights and encouragement.
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Episode 169: Praying with Purpose: Expect God to Speak About Your Mission with Hannah Vaughan-Spruce
Episode | December 10th, 2024 | 57 mins 31 secs
catholic, catholic ministry, catholic parish transformation, church growth, community prayer practices, disciples, divine renovation, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith and mission, hannah von spruce, holy spirit in parish life, intercessory prayer, jim jansen, making disciples, mission-inspired prayer, parish renewal, prayer and mission, spiritual leadership
Have you ever wondered how to bring the Lord into your work, expanding your prayer life beyond personal devotion? In this episode, we explore missional prayer—prayer that aligns our hearts with the Holy Spirit, focusing on the transformation of our parishes and neighborhoods. It's about moving beyond inward devotion to intentional, outward-facing prayer for mission and evangelization. Discover how coming together as a community to seek God's guidance and power can bring about renewal and fruitfulness in our mission. Learn to pray with a purpose, trusting that God wants to work through us to reach those who don’t yet know Him. Join me as I talk with Hannah Vaughan-Spruce, Executive Director of Divine Renovation UK, who shares her insights.
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Episode 168: How to Tell If Your Prayer Life Is Working with Nathan Crankfield, Sales Lead for Hallow
Episode | November 19th, 2024 | 1 hr 4 mins
archdiocese of omaha, building a relationship with god, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, daily prayer routine, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and prayer, faith journey, finding peace in prayer, hallow app, listening to god, making disciples, overcoming prayer challenges, prayer and mental health, prayer life, prayer practices, prayer tips, spiritual growth, transformative prayer
Ever wonder if your prayer life is making a difference? Look for the fruits. Are you experiencing more peace, patience, and love in your relationships? Do you feel more attuned to God’s presence and guidance in your daily life? Challenges can also be a signpost—when your prayer life is strong, you’re more likely to face difficulties with grace and clarity. But what about those times when it feels like nothing is happening? Often, God is quietly working in your heart in ways you may not immediately notice. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Nathan Crankfield, Sales Lead at Hallow, to uncover the transformative power of prayer. Nathan shares personal insights and practical tips on recognizing when your prayers are bearing fruit and how to overcome the challenges of staying consistent in prayer. He also highlights how tools like the Hallow app can support your spiritual growth and help you connect with God more deeply. Join us for an inspiring conversation about building a vibrant prayer life, embracing God’s work in your heart, and navigating life’s highs and lows with faith and grace.
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Episode 167: Our Mission to Love: How to share your faith without being pushy
Episode | November 12th, 2024 | 56 mins 6 secs
authentic conversations, catholic, catholic faith, catholic ministry, community, compassion, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith sharing, holy spirit, kindness, love, making disciples, mission, mission to love, outreach, parish life, personal testimony, relationships, service, sharing faith, spiritual growth, transformative love
I was recently asked, "How do you share your faith without coming across as pushy?" It’s a big question—how can we invite people into a relationship with Jesus without making it feel manipulative? The answer is simple: We love. The core of the Great Commission—"go and make disciples"—is the call to love because God is love. If we let that love shape and transform us, we become agents of love in our communities. This means nurturing our relationship with God first and letting that love overflow into our relationships with others. In this episode, I talk with Peter Andrastek, Senior Consultant at Evangelical Catholic. We explore how to share our faith through genuine connections and meaningful conversations. It’s about finding a balance: reaching out with urgency, yet having the wisdom to do it gently. Join me as we dive into what it means to be a missionary disciple, sharing the love we've been given in a way that feels authentic and true.
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Coach's Corner 16: How to Make Evangelization a Priority
Episode | November 5th, 2024 | 9 mins 40 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, great commission, making disciples, missionary disciples, spiritual growth
Why is it so hard to prioritize evangelization? I want to love God, love my neighbor, and introduce others to Jesus, but life often gets in the way. In today’s Coach’s Corner, I’m here to offer some encouragement. When I focus on what Jesus truly asks of me—giving my heart to him in prayer and helping others draw closer to him—everything else falls into place. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply looking for inspiration, this episode provides practical advice and encouragement to reignite your missionary spirit and live out your faith more fully.
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Episode 166: Michelle Duppong’s Little Way of Evangelization
Episode | October 29th, 2024 | 51 mins 28 secs
catholic, catholic ministry, catholic saints, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization methods, faith in everyday life, focus, god’s mercy, inspiration and encouragement, little way of evangelization, making disciples, michelle duppong, missionary work, personal evangelization, prayer and evangelization, radiating joy, servant of god, spiritual mentorship, spiritual multiplication, st. therese of lisieux, universal call to holiness
Being holy is hard, and most of the people I look up to – the saints – lived extraordinary lives. But St. Therese taught us that sanctity is possible through her “little way”. Today, I want to introduce you to another “little way” – that of Servant of God Michelle Duppong. She lived what I like to call “the little way of evangelization” to the point that I almost didn’t hire her as a FOCUS missionary. Michelle lived an ordinary life showing that small, intentional acts of love can have a profound impact. Even during her battle with cancer, she remained committed to her mission. Her life exemplified God’s mercy and acceptance, welcoming everyone with open arms and a joyful spirit. In essence, Michelle’s story reminds us that we can find strength and purpose in our everyday actions and inspire others through our faith and love.
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Step 4: Evangelization Formation – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 22nd, 2024 | 51 mins 57 secs
catholic, catholic ministry, community support, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization formation, evangelization strategies, evangelization training, holy spirit, intentional disciples, making disciples, missionary disciples, parish evangelization, personal apostolate
Does your parish actively encourage parishioners to engage in the Church’s mission to "go and make disciples" (Matt 28:19)? The Evangelization Formation step of the Clear Path equips disciples by guiding them to work with the Holy Spirit—the primary agent of evangelization—while surrounding them with a supportive community of missionary disciples who uplift and strengthen one another. It also provides practical skills, training in charisms, and tools to help disciples grow in confidence as they share their faith in everyday life. In this episode, my guests, Dcn. MJ Kersenbrock and Jan Kunz, discuss how they are implementing these efforts in the Catholic Parishes of Western Holt and Boyd Counties. They share the challenges and successes they've encountered while fostering a culture of mission. Their stories highlight the importance of perseverance, prayer, and personal relationships, as well as the transformative impact this formation process has had on individuals, who are now empowered to continue the mission, creating a ripple effect in their communities.
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Step 3: Faith Formation – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 15th, 2024 | 58 mins 22 secs
catechesis, catholic, catholic ministry, clear path, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, live lent together, making disciples, mentorship program, missionary disciples, small groups, spiritual growth
Most parishes form their people in the faith, but do they truly teach individuals how to pray, help them understand and actively engage with the sacraments, and guide them in making practical, moral changes in the daily lives? Developing the habits of a disciple can be challenging, and it happens most effectively within a community where people support and challenge one another to grow as followers of Jesus. In today’s conversation, Jodi Phillips and Michelle Zuhlke join me to discuss the faith formation step of building a clear path for discipleship. We explore the importance of small groups in fostering spiritual growth, emphasizing the role of personal relationships and mentorship.
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Step 2: Conversion Moment – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 8th, 2024 | 55 mins 5 secs
alpha course testimonials, alpha program, catholic, catholic faith, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, christian conversion, church community building, church outreach programs, conversion moments, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith and community, faith journey, hospitality in church, making disciples, omaha archdiocese, parish life, personal transformation stories, religious education, small groups, spiritual growth, st. columbkille parish
Does your parish have Alpha, Christ Life, a parish retreat, or some other initiative that creates an opportunity for people to hear about Jesus, reflect on their faith, and take a step towards a real and lasting relationship with him? The Clear Path step Conversion Moment is designed to help individuals encounter Jesus and make a personal decision to follow Him by offering a clear proclamation of the Gospel. My guest, Marlo Monico, shares her experience building and sustaining a Conversion Moment. She shares stories of significant personal transformations and emphasizes the importance of hospitality, community, and continuous invitation in evangelization efforts.
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Step 1: Relational Outreach – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 1st, 2024 | 59 mins 26 secs
building authentic friendships, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic retreats, college ministry, community building in parishes, creating welcoming environments, disciples, effective parish events, engaging non-practicing catholics, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization techniques, faith community, faith formation, hospitality in ministry, intentional outreach, jpii newman center, making disciples, missionary discipleship, overcoming outreach challenges, parish outreach strategies, personal stories of faith, relational outreach, small group bible studies
Do you have a way to introduce your non-practicing friends and family members to your faith community that doesn’t involve inviting them to Mass or other gatherings that might make them feel isolated? Does your parish offer a space where you can meet and build trusting relationships with those distant from their faith? The Clear Path step Relational Outreach is designed for just that. My guests, Katie Winkler and Beth Carlson, share their experience at the JPII Newman Center, where they’ve created spaces for authentic friendships to flourish. They discuss the importance of intentionality in outreach, creating welcoming environments, and the role of personal stories and experiences in building genuine connections. Katie and Beth also highlight the challenges and learning opportunities in outreach efforts, emphasizing the need for patience and persistence in forming meaningful relationships.
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Coach's Corner 15: Embrace Jesus’s Pace: How to Rest
Episode | September 24th, 2024 | 10 mins 49 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, christian encouragement, christian reflection, christian work-life balance, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and productivity, isaiah 30:15, jesus’ pace of life, making disciples, repentance and renewal, ruthless elimination of hurry, sabbath rest, spiritual discipline, work from rest
Do you believe that God continues to work even when you don’t? In my own life, I’ve struggled with the idea that rest has to be earned, that I can only rest once everything on my to-do list is checked off. But the Christian vision is different. God’s work doesn’t stop when we rest. In fact, our rest is a testament to our trust in His ongoing work. Join me as we explore the beauty of working from rest, drawing examples from Jesus’s life, and discover practical ways to incorporate this principle into your daily routine.
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Episode 161: Grow a Healthy Small Group Movement with Michael Hall
Episode | September 17th, 2024 | 56 mins 1 sec
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic christian outreach, catholic ministry, cco, church community, church growth, community building, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, faith journey, healthy small groups, intentional accompaniment, jim jansen, making disciples, michael hall, missionary mindset, parish ministry, parish renewal, podcast, small group coaching, small group dynamics, small group leadership, small group movement, small group multiplication, small group strategies, small groups, spiritual growth
Small groups are vital for parish renewal—you might even be part of one yourself. But is your small group thriving and growing, or is it feeling a bit stagnant? Do you find it challenging to reach beyond the usual participants? And most importantly, are your small groups truly helping people grow in their faith journey? Today, I chat with Michael Hall, author of Intentional Accompaniment and a seasoned leader with Catholic Christian Outreach of Canada. Michael has a wealth of experience building and sustaining healthy small group movements, and he’s here to share some of the strategies and mindsets that can transform your small group from a stagnant gathering into a dynamic, missionary force. Whether you’re leading a small group, coordinating them for your parish, or simply a passionate member of one, this conversation is full of insights that can help you breathe new life into your small group ministry and make a real impact in your community.