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.

Episode 174: Experience Miracles: How Alpha Youth Changed the Culture of a School

Episode  |  February 4th, 2025  |  51 mins 56 secs

alpha program, alpha youth, archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic schools, christian podcast, disciples, encountering god, evangelism, evangelization, faith stories, faith transformation, father walter nolte, holy spirit, making disciples, miraculous encounters, prayer in schools, school miracles, spiritual growth, student faith, young people and faith, youth evangelization, youth ministry

Do you expect the miraculous from God? As believers, we are invited to trust in God's power and love, knowing He desires to move in our lives in profound and unexpected ways. Miracles are not confined to biblical times; they are a testament to God's ongoing presence in our world. When we step out in faith, we open the door for the Holy Spirit to work, transforming lives and communities. In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Walter Nolte, Pastor of the Padre Pio Family Parish Group, to discuss the incredible impact of the Alpha Youth program at Archbishop Bergan High School. Fr. Nolte shares inspiring stories of miracles, heartfelt prayers, and the transformative changes in students’ openness to God. We explore how simple acts of prayer and listening have broken down barriers—within students, families, and the broader faith community. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the importance of following the Holy Spirit's lead, connecting authentically with youth, and trusting in the transformative power of God's love.

Episode 171: Transform Your Parish: Fr. James Mallon on Evangelization, Discipleship, and Church Growth

Episode  |  January 14th, 2025  |  1 hr 6 mins

archdiocese of omaha, breaking barriers, catholic, catholic ministry, church leadership, church transformation, cultural shift, disciples, divine renovation, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, fr. james mallon, holy spirit, leadership, making disciples, missionary discipleship, missionary focus, parish culture shift, parish evangelization, parish renewal, pastoral activity, personal encounter with jesus, renewing faith, spiritual growth

Pope John Paul II tells us that “evangelization is the cornerstone of all pastoral action, the demands of which are primary, preeminent and preferential.” Yet, let’s be real—how often do we actually see this lived out in our parishes? Evangelization tends to take a back seat, overshadowed by other priorities, rarely making it into budgets or staffing plans. But here’s the truth: holiness and orthodoxy aren’t enough on their own to renew a parish. This week, I sit down with Fr. James Mallon, the author of Divine Renovation, to talk about how we can create parishes that inspire a commitment to Christ and cultivate a dynamic, engaged faith community. We dive into what it takes to make evangelization the heart of parish life, break through cultural barriers, and build leadership teams that lead with purpose.

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.

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.