EquipCast - Episodes Tagged with “Prayer Life”

Episode 198: The Key to More Vocations: Creating Safe Spaces for Faith to Flourish

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600

*Why isn’t “promoting vocations” enough to help young people discover God’s call? *

Because so many can’t even hear Him right now. Their faith feels distant, the noise of the world is loud, and what they crave most isn’t another program—it’s a real encounter with Jesus and people who truly care.

In this episode, I talk with Fr. Scott Schilmoeller, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Omaha, about what it takes to awaken a generation to God’s voice. We don’t need to push vocations—we need to till the soil: to build trust, community, and spaces where faith can take root again. If your heart breaks for the young Church and you long to see them come alive in their calling, this episode is for you.

[01:05] Father Scott Schilmoeller's Background and Personal Story
[05:41] Discovering a Vocation: College Experiences and Spiritual Growth
[08:42] The Role of Community and Family in Faith
[14:55] Understanding Vocations: Lowercase and Uppercase V
[18:28] Challenges in Vocational Discernment
[21:46] Addressing the Vocations Crisis
[23:33] Discerning Your Vocation
[24:24] Community and Evangelization
[25:15] Youth Groups and Initiatives
[28:30] Engaging Young Kids
[30:06] Middle School and High School Faith
[32:10] Supporting Vocational Discernment
[34:11] Practical Steps for Leaders
[39:47] Encouraging Vocations
[42:41] Final Thoughts and Resources

Check out OmahaVocations.org!

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 193: When Ordinary People Say Yes: The story of Seeking Truth Bible Study

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

What happens when you open the Bible and simply say “yes” to God? In this conversation with Sharon Doran, teaching director of Seeking Truth, you’ll hear how Scripture has the power to heal wounds, renew marriages, transform families, and ignite whole communities. Sharon shares how she went from feeling unqualified to teaching hundreds—because the Holy Spirit showed up when she stepped out in faith.

Sharon’s story is a reminder that Scripture isn’t just ink on a page—it’s alive. It heals, it unites, and it sends us on mission. If you’ve ever wondered how ordinary people can be used in extraordinary ways, her story will inspire you to guard time with Scripture and trust God to do more than you imagined.

[02:07] Sharon's Early Life and Family Influence
[08:07] Sharon's Journey into Bible Study
[14:16] Challenges and Growth of Seeking Truth
[23:08] The Role of Women in Teaching Scripture
[29:04] Approach to Scripture Study
[37:34] The Importance of Love in Ministry
[44:58] Favorite Biblical Passages and Typological Connections
[52:37] Encouragement for Personal Scripture Study
[55:02] Conclusion and Invitation to Join Seeking Truth

Don’t forget to check out Seeking Truth!

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

How to Choose (Part 2): Evangelization Formation

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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.

[00:13] Series Overview: Choosing Evangelization Formation Ministry
[01:15] Understanding Evangelization Formation
[02:17] Characteristics of Evangelization Formation
[13:39] The Role of Charisms in Evangelization
[17:40] Team Approach and Mentorship in Evangelization
[24:20] Programs and Ministries for Evangelization Formation
[32:55] Discipleship and Mission
[34:24] Practical Steps for Evangelization
[35:58] Discernment in Evangelization Formation
[39:22] Deep Investment in Leaders
[41:34] Practical Ways to Discern Evangelization Formation
[45:14] Stories of Evangelization Success

Don’t forget to check out Options for Evangelization Formation. And for more on the Clear Path, read the book, A Clear Path to Discipleship: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 168: How to Tell If Your Prayer Life Is Working with Nathan Crankfield, Sales Lead for Hallow

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0600

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.

[01:08] Nathan's Background and Faith Journey
[07:26] College Life and Spiritual Growth at Mount St. Mary's
[16:01] The Importance and Practice of Prayer
[33:56] God's Desire for Silence and Conversation
[36:51] Recognizing the Fruits of Prayer
[39:52] Challenges in Maintaining a Prayer Life
[46:21] Balancing Work and Prayer
[53:40] The Impact of the Hallow App

Don’t forget to check out Nathan Crankfield on Instagram and his website Seeking Excellence. And if you aren’t using the app yet: Hallow.com.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 134: How to Become a Contagious Catholic with Marcel LeJeune

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Have you ever met a contagious Catholic? I'm not talking about cold and flu season here – I mean meeting someone whose faith is so vibrant and inspiring that it makes you want to deepen your own spiritual journey. Well, today, I had the joy of chatting with one such individual. Marcel LeJeune helped create the world’s largest campus ministry at Texas A&M, and he spills his secrets on infusing your faith with contagious enthusiasm. One of his gems from our conversation:

“Your inadequacies to the task at hand that you want to accomplish are nothing in the hands of a God who is infinitely powerful. All He has is messed up, sinful, insufficient people for the task that he wants to accomplish, and He laughs at us. All He asks is us to give Him a little bit of room and a small yes, and then get out of His way. Because here's the thing. I am neither the most talented, the smartest, certainly not the best looking of any of the people that I know, even in my local community. I'm not the best evangelist. I'm not the best theologian. I'm not the best writer or speaker. I'm not the best person to have a conversation with. I'm not the best listener. I'm not best at any of those things. And yet, God can still do big things through me and you because God is bigger than I am and bigger than you.”

In today’s episode:

Delve into the crucial role of a foundational, daily prayer life for deepening your spiritual journey.
Explore how parishes serve as hubs for equipping individuals to share their faith effectively.
Be inspired by the current positive transformations within the Church, despite the challenges.

Tune in and be empowered to share your faith boldly and authentically.

More resources from our guest:

The Contagious Catholic: The Art of Practical Evangelization by Marcel LeJeune
Catholic Missionary Disciples
Discerning Hearts

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 128: Lampstand Initiative: Illuminating Faith Through Prayer and Community with Fr. Pat McLaughlin

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever had a moment that deeply touched your soul, making you feel connected to God and changing your life? We often think of monumental conversion moments, but what if I told you that such transformative encounters could be a part of your daily life—through prayer?

Prayer is more than just speaking to God; it's about creating a sacred space for genuine conversation. It's about building a relationship with Jesus, allowing Him to speak to us, fostering spiritual growth, and helping us understand ourselves and God's will. Beyond that, prayer lets us receive grace and feel God's immense love. And here's the beautiful part: these encounters aren't just for us; they're meant to be shared, strengthening our faith and enriching our communities.

Today, I sit down with Fr. Pat McLaughlin for a conversation about the Lampstand Initiative. It's a program designed to transform our prayer lives, bringing us closer to Jesus. But it doesn't stop there. The Lampstand Initiative empowers us to not only deepen our own prayer lives but also to teach others, creating a ripple effect of prayer and evangelization in our communities.

In this episode, we explore:

How a listening heart in prayer can bring a profound connection with Jesus.
How sharing the blessings of your prayer can amplify the impact and foster a culture of evangelization.
How to teach people to teach others to pray through the Lampstand Initiative.

Learn more about the Lampstand Initiative. Or deepen your own prayer life by picking up one of these books: WRAP Yourself in Scripture and The Parish as a School of Prayer.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)