The EquipCast

How to Choose (Part 2): Evangelization Formation

Episode  |  August 12th, 2025  |  1 hr 2 mins

alpha program, archdiocese of omaha, called and gifted, catholic, catholic community, catholic evangelization, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, charisms, church growth, clear path discipleship, disciples, discipleship journey, equipcast, evangelical catholic, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, holy spirit, making disciples, mentorship matters, missionary discipleship, parish renewal, prayer life, reach one more

What if the biggest thing holding your parish back isn’t a lack of programs—but a lack of missionary disciples? In this episode, I sit down with my team to explore a step in parish life that often gets skipped: evangelization formation. We’re talking about the part of discipleship where people go from passive participants to confident, Spirit-led missionaries—and why that shift changes everything. We get honest about what it actually takes to form missionary disciples—not just run more programs. You’ll hear real behind-the-scenes stories from parishes on the ground, practical tips that work, and ways they faced the most common roadblocks we see, like fear, self-doubt, or the sense of being alone in mission.
We break down evangelization formation into clear, doable steps—like helping people pray out loud, share their story, and discover their charisms. Whether your parish is just starting out or ready to go deeper, this episode will shift how you think about forming people for mission—and give you the tools to start.

Episode 184: When God asks, how do you answer?—The Power of “Yes” with Christina Semmens

Episode  |  May 27th, 2025  |  1 hr 4 mins

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic daily life, catholic discernment, catholic encouragement, catholic evangelization, catholic inspiration, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic spirituality, charisms, christina semmens, daily faith, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith and purpose, holy spirit, living your calling, making disciples, personal mission, say yes book, spiritual encouragement, spiritual growth

Episode 183: Charisms in the Chaos: How a Parish Community Mobilized After a Tornado

Episode  |  May 20th, 2025  |  50 mins 39 secs

amanda pfeiffer, archdiocese of omaha, called and gifted, catholic, catholic church, catholic community, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, charisms, charisms in crisis, church outreach, disaster response, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith in action, holy spirit, making disciples, mandy busch, parish ministry, spiritual gifts, st. patrick's elkhorn, tornado recovery, unity in mission, works of mercy

Can something as simple as kindness really change someone's view of God? Simple acts of love and kindness are how Jesus shows up in people’s lives. When someone feels seen, heard, and cared for—especially in their mess or suffering—it softens hearts. It opens a door. That’s when people start to wonder, “Why are you doing this?” And we get to say, “Because Jesus loves you.” When we meet people in their suffering with compassion—feeding them, clothing them, praying with them—we’re not just meeting physical needs, we’re revealing the heart of Jesus. And when people experience that kind of love, they start to believe again that God is real, that He sees them, and that He hasn’t forgotten them. In today’s episode, I sit down with Mandy Busch and Amanda Pfeiffer to share the incredible story of how their parish community responded after an EF4 tornado struck. Instead of just reacting, they mobilized hundreds—each person using their unique spiritual gifts—to serve with compassion, leadership, and faith. We talk about how discovering and using our charisms—the gifts given by the Holy Spirit—can be a game changer for unity and fruitfulness in mission. When we stop comparing and start collaborating, the Church comes alive. Like a puzzle, every piece matters. And when we come together in love, the result is powerful.

Episode 127: Uncover Your Charisms Through Spiritual Openness with Sherry Weddell

Episode  |  October 10th, 2023  |  59 mins 26 secs

called and gifted inventory, catholic faith, charisms, christian community, christian discipleship, christian spirituality, discernment, evangelization, faith journey, faithful living, parish community, personal growth, religious transformation, sherry weddell, spiritual gifts

Ever felt the exhilaration of God's presence when using your unique spiritual gifts? Can you imagine what it would be like to discover and unleash your charisms for the benefit of your community? It's a journey of openness, spiritual growth, and the grace of God propelling us forward. Join me in an inspiring episode featuring Sherry Weddell, co-founder of the Catherine of Sienna Institute. She sheds light on charisms, reminding us that these divine gifts are meant to be shared, illuminating the lives of others with God's love and mercy. “These are ways that you and I have been empowered by God to be an instrument of His love and His beauty and His mercy and His healing and His provision for other people."

Episode 125: Match Your Gifts to Your Mission: How Charisms Have the Power to Change Everything!

Episode  |  September 19th, 2023  |  42 mins 19 secs

charisms, equip for mission, gifts, intentional disciple, it's not work

How life-giving is the volunteer work that you do for your parish? Is it draining or invigorating? Hopefully, some of you responded, “Invigorating!” But if you find yourself drained by the work of being missional, you are not alone. So many of us say yes to the work because it is good, or necessary, or because “Father asked me to”. Rarely are we asked to first discern our charisms and then to volunteer in a mission field that matches our gifts. And so, I invited Mandy Busch and Amanda Pfeifer to talk about how they are helping parishioners find fulfillment in their mission. They focus first on helping parishioners to understand their God given gifts (charisms) and to notice where the Lord’s gifts are bearing fruit. In their own words: “This is an essential item you need in your toolbox as an intentional disciple. Knowing what your charisms are and the ways in which the Lord moves in you to do his work, changes everything. Because when it’s his work, it’s not work.”