EquipCast

Episode 186: From Pew to Purpose: How to Live the Apostolate You Were Made For

Episode  |  June 17th, 2025  |  1 hr 40 secs

apostolate, apostolic mission, archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic discipleship, catholic evangelization, catholic laity, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, catholic mission, catholic parish life, catholic podcast, discernment, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, fr. andrew mattingly, jim jansen, laity, lay apostolate, lay vocation, making disciples, ministry vs apostolate, mission in the world, parish ministry, renewing the temporal order, spiritual discernment, vatican ii laity, works of mercy

What’s at stake if we stay busy in church but miss our calling in the world? It’s easy to think serving at church—teaching, volunteering, helping with Mass—is the main way lay people live out their faith. But here’s the truth: our primary call isn’t just ministry inside the Church—it’s apostolate out in the world. That means bringing Jesus into your workplace, your neighborhood, and your everyday life. That’s where you’re meant to shine. And what’s at stake? Souls. If we don’t take time to discern our apostolate, some of the people God placed in our path may never encounter Him. This isn’t just about filling time—it’s about stepping into the mission only you can fulfill. The Church needs you. And the world desperately needs Jesus. Tune in for a powerful conversation with Fr. Andrew Mattingly, who tells us that sometimes, reaching the world means cutting back on “good” church programs—because when a parish is over-programmed, it can pull focus from the real mission. But when we zero in on what actually forms people for their apostolate, we gain clarity, energy, and fruitfulness. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most.

Episode 185: Hispanic Ministry: The gift your parish needs

Episode  |  June 10th, 2025  |  57 mins 30 secs

archdiocese of omaha, bilingual ministry, catholic, catholic church, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, deacon gregorio elizalde, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, hispanic catholic gifts, hispanic catholics, hispanic culture in the church, hispanic faith, hispanic ministry, hispanic spirituality, hispanic youth, intercultural ministry, jim jansen, latino catholics, making disciples, parish renewal, parish support

Could Hispanic spirituality be the gift your parish needs? In this episode, I sit down with Deacon Gregorio Elizalde, who leads Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese of Omaha. We talk about what really makes Hispanic ministry tick—and spoiler alert—it’s not just about translating resources into Spanish. It’s about receiving culture, building trust, and forming real relationships. Deacon Gregorio shares powerful insights into how many Hispanic Catholics show up with this deep, family-rooted faith that’s joyful, sacrificial, and incredibly contagious. There’s a deep sense of devotion, hospitality, and joy, even in the midst of hardship in Hispanic Catholic communities. And honestly, their ability to evangelize through relationships, through retreats, through just showing up with love—that’s a gift we desperately need in the Church today. If you're leading in a parish, or just want to understand how to better welcome and walk with our Hispanic brothers and sisters, this conversation will open your eyes and maybe even shift your heart.

Coach's Corner 21: Hope – The Church’s Key to Renewal

Episode  |  June 3rd, 2025  |  13 mins 47 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, catholic mission, catholic podcast, church renewal, cultural change in the church, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith and culture, holy fear, hope, jim jansen, jubilee of hope, making disciples, mission and discipleship, parish transformation, pastoral conversion, repentance and hope, saints and renewal, spiritual renewal, tipping point

What if real cultural change is just 15% away—and we’re closer than we think? In this Coach’s Corner, I’m diving into something that’s been really stirring in my heart: hope. Not the wishful-thinking kind, but the kind that’s born from repentance—a deep turning back to God with a holy fear of offending His love. When we do that, we make space for His grace to move, to renew, to restore. That’s where real hope comes alive. I also talk about why I truly believe cultural change is possible—even now. Did you know it only takes about 15% of a group to shift the culture? That means if just a small part of our parish gets fired up for the Gospel and mission, it can spark something way bigger. I’ve seen it happen. And more importantly—God’s done it before. I share stories, reflect on saints and past renewals, and talk about how a mission mindset, paired with corporate repentance, can set the stage for transformation. I end the episode with a prayer asking God to move in power again—because I really believe He’s not done with us yet. If you’ve been feeling discouraged or wondering if your yes to God really matters, this one’s for you.

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 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 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.

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.

Episode 153: The Clear Path to Discipleship in a Rural Context

Episode  |  June 4th, 2024  |  52 mins 51 secs

archdioceseofomaha, biblestudy, catholic, catholic ministry, catholicpodcast, cedarcounty, christiancommunity, churchoutreach, communitybuilding, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faithandfriendship, faithinaction, faithjourney, jakeolson, knoxcounty, making disciples, missionarydisciples, relationalevangelization, ruralevangelization, ruralministry, smallgroupministry

Did you know that on average, there’s only one priest for every 2,000 parishioners in our archdiocese? With such a large group to guide, you might wonder how it could be possible for parish leaders to help their people grow in discipleship and move towards sainthood. The Clear Path framework is key to success, but the challenge is greater in our rural communities where a single pastor often handles several parishes. To gain insight on these issues, I sit down with Jake Olson, the evangelization coordinator for Our Catholic Family, a group of parishes in the Northeast corner of Nebraska. Jake describes the clear path as a bowling alley where our ultimate goal (heaven) is like bowling a strike, and the clear path consists of bumpers that keep us aligned towards this goal. Tune in to hear Jake’s practical advice and heartfelt experiences. He shows us how small actions and genuine connections can lead to profound spiritual growth and community transformation. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet rural town, these timeless principles of evangelization are universally applicable.