EquipCast

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.

Coach's Corner 20: Healthy Roots Equal Abundant Fruits – Church Growth Explained

Episode  |  May 13th, 2025  |  8 mins 16 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church community, church growth, church leadership, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, fruit tree metaphor, healthy ministries, making disciples, ministry success, missionary discipleship, parish ministry, root and branches, spiritual growth, vibrant church

What’s the one thing that can produce lasting fruit in our parish ministries? If we want to see real growth in areas like attendance, vocations, and community life, we must focus on making and maturing disciples. There are no shortcuts—superficial fixes won’t yield lasting change. True fruitfulness comes from healthy individuals, thriving ministries, and a clear vision rooted in mission. In this episode, I break it all down using the metaphor of a fruit tree—and show why discipleship is the key to everything.

Episode 182: Connect Heaven to Earth’s Ordinary Moments with Fr. Micael Voithofer

Episode  |  May 6th, 2025  |  1 hr 13 mins

ablaze house of prayer, archdiocese of omaha, baptismal priesthood, catholic, catholic ministry, connecting heaven and earth, daily worship, disciples, divine daily living, encounter school of ministry, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith and mission, father michael voithofer, healing through worship, living loved, making disciples, poverty of spirit, prophetic call, resting in god's presence, sacred spaces, sons and daughters of god, spiritual identity, spiritual renewal, transforming mundane moments, worship in everyday life

What if everyday moments—like washing dishes or sitting in traffic—could actually connect you to heaven? In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to live into your identity as a beloved son or daughter of God. We’ll chat about the baptismal priesthood—not as some abstract theology, but as a real, lived-out calling to be a bridge between heaven and earth. Whether you’re changing a diaper or heading into a meeting, worship isn’t just for Sunday mornings—it’s for every part of your life. I sit down with Fr. Michael Voithofer, and we talk about how worship shifts our focus, heals our hearts, and draws us into God's presence where we can actually rest. You’ll hear how starting your day with a posture of poverty of spirit—just being honest about your need for God—can transform the way you live, love, and lead.
So grab your coffee, take a breath, and join us as we explore what it looks like to live from a place of sonship, freedom, and joy—bringing God’s presence into every moment.
Are you ready to live like you’re deeply loved and fully sent?

Episode 181: The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World with Susan Windley-Daoust

Episode  |  April 29th, 2025  |  1 hr 7 mins

apostolic parish, archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic church, catholic ministry, church growth, church leadership, church revitalization, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith community, making disciples, mission refocus, missionary identity, parish renewal, parish transformation, podcast episode, practical insights, radical hospitality, signs and wonders, small group discipleship, spiritual renewal, susan windley-daoust, the four ways forward

Parish renewal is the buzzword of the moment—and with it comes an overwhelming array of resources and ministries. So how do you cut through the noise to find what will truly help your parish move forward? In today’s episode, I talk with Susan Windley-Daoust, author of The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World. Susan encourages us to focus on renewal models that prioritize: Radical hospitality, Small group discipleship, Mission refocus, Signs and wonders. Look for resources that align with these key principles and have a proven track record. Engage your parish leadership team in discernment, and don’t be afraid to start small—what matters most is finding what genuinely supports your parish’s growth in missionary identity.

Episode 180: Front Porch Missionaries: What if you never had to leave your home to go on mission?

Episode  |  April 22nd, 2025  |  1 hr 14 mins

archdiocese of omaha, building trust, catholic, catholic ministry, community building, creating connections, delray collective, disciples, ennie hickman, evangelism, evangelization, everyday evangelization, faith in action, fostering belonging, genuine connections, hospitality, love thy neighbor, making disciples, missionary disciples, neighborhood gatherings, neighborly love, open porch network, ordinary missionaries, practical tips, simple acts of kindness, transforming communities

What if changing the world started with your dinner table? Today, I sit down with Ennie Hickman, co-founder of the Delray Collective, an organization dedicated to equipping people to be ordinary missionary disciples in their everyday lives. We dive into the quiet power of everyday hospitality—those small, intentional acts that build trust, create belonging, and speak louder than any grand gesture ever could. We’ll chat about how simply opening your home, sharing a meal, or listening with your whole heart can spark something way bigger than you might expect. It’s not about doing more—it’s about being present. We’ll explore how love and joy in the ordinary can be one of the most powerful ways to live out your faith and impact your community. So grab a cup of coffee and join us as we talk about the beauty of showing up, being real, and letting light shine through the simplest moments.

Coach's Corner 19: Four Metaphors for a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode  |  April 1st, 2025  |  11 mins 22 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, christian podcast, church ministry, clear path of discipleship, communal faith, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, faith inspiration, faith journey, making disciples, metaphors for discipleship, ministry framework, missionary disciples, podcast, religious education, spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, youth ministry

Have you ever thought about how discipleship is like a school, a training table, or even an operating system? Probably not—but I love a good metaphor (maybe too much!). In this episode, I share four powerful ways to think about building a clear path of discipleship as well as the importance of creating a communal context where people can grow, mature, and ultimately be sent out as missionary disciples. If you're looking for a fresh way to approach ministry—or just love a good analogy—this episode is for you. Give it a listen and let me know: What’s your favorite metaphor for discipleship? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Welcome to the EquipCast

Episode  |  March 25th, 2025  |  57 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, making disciples

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.

Episode 179: The secret to getting more volunteers with John Poitevent from Great Catholic Parishes

Episode  |  March 25th, 2025  |  1 hr 5 mins

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church leadership, community building, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, family faith formation, making disciples, parish engagement, parish growth, parish renewal, personal invitations, volunteer recruitment, volunteer strategies

Why is it so hard to get more volunteers? The same 10% of parishioners seem do 90% of the work. The key to changing this isn’t just recruiting more volunteers—it’s making disciples. People step up when they feel seen, invited, and part of something meaningful. That starts with personal relationships. Instead of generic announcements, we need to reach out individually, explain the impact of their involvement, and walk with them on their faith journey. When people feel valued and supported, they naturally want to serve.
In today’s episode, I talk with John Poitevent, founder of Great Catholic Parishes, about how personal invitations and a culture of belonging transform parish engagement. We discuss the power of clear roles, training, and encouragement—because when people know they matter, they show up. Listen in and let’s build a parish where everyone has a role to play.

Episode 178: Measuring Faith: How Data and Devotion Are Revitalizing Sacred Heart Parish

Episode  |  March 18th, 2025  |  50 mins 29 secs

archdiocese of omaha, building vibrant parishes, catholic, catholic discipleship, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, church growth strategies, church leadership insights, confession habits, disciples, equipcast, eucharist devotion, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, faith-filled community, father jamie zarse, leadership teams, making disciples, marriage enrichment, mass attendance, measuring spiritual progress, ocia growth, parish generosity, parish leadership, parish renewal, parish success stories, parish transformation, prayer warriors, rosary devotion, sacred heart parish, scriptural prayer, shawnee kansas, spiritual habits, transforming parishes

What does it take to build a thriving, faith-filled parish? In this episode, I sit down with Father Jamie Zarse, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee, Kansas, to unpack his vision for renewing his parish—starting with a team of prayer warriors and leaders—and the spiritual habits that are transforming his community. From deeper devotion to the Eucharist and the Rosary to more frequent confession and scripture-based prayer, these simple yet powerful practices are sparking real change. Mass attendance is up by 18%, generosity is growing with an additional $408,000 in tithing, and parishioners are coming alive in their faith. Father Jamie also reveals why measuring spiritual progress and forming strong leadership teams are key to sustaining this momentum. He shares how his leadership team, a mix of staff and dedicated volunteers, meets weekly to ensure they are always working on the most important things. They even use innovative tools like QR code surveys during Mass to track engagement in key spiritual habits.