The EquipCast
Practical Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools for Catholic Leaders
Displaying items 11-20 of 30 in total of The EquipCast with the tag "spiritual growth".
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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.
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Episode 173: The Art of Neighboring with Dave Runyon
Episode | January 28th, 2025 | 51 mins 23 secs
archdiocese of omaha, building relationships, catholic, catholic ministry, christian leadership, christian living, christian podcast, community building, dave runyon, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and community, faith in action, local mission, love your neighbor, making disciples, neighborhood connections, neighboring movement, practical faith, social safety net, spiritual growth, the art of neighboring
Is busyness subtly drowning out your ability to love God and love others? When we're constantly rushing from one task to the next, we lose the time and mental space to notice the needs of those around us, let alone build meaningful relationships with them. Our hurried lifestyles often turn our homes into mere refuges from the chaos instead of places of true connection and community. Today’s guest, Dave Runyon, author of The Art of Neighboring, shares how simple acts of loving and connecting with our neighbors can create a profound social safety net – stronger than governmental programs – and foster a deeper sense of community.
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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.
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Episode 170: How Young Adults Can Find Their Place After College
Episode | December 17th, 2024 | 1 hr 15 secs
archo young adults, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic young adults, community building, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, faith journey, grassroots movement, holy spirit guidance, making disciples, mentorship, missionary disciples, omaha archdiocese, parish involvement, post-college transition, service and charisms, spiritual growth, young adult challenges, young adult ministry
Can young adults find their place in a faith community after college? Young adults often face the loss of their college community and the challenge of building new connections. They tend to feel isolated and unsure of how to integrate into a parish. Overcoming this involves actively seeking out parish activities, being open to making friends across different age groups, and finding ways to serve. In this episode, we explore the unique struggles and opportunities for young adults striving to remain connected to their faith after graduation. Today’s guest, Matt Keller, shares his inspiring journey of founding Arch O Young Adults, an apostolate dedicated to helping young adults navigate these transitions. Matt offers practical advice on creating meaningful relationships, staying rooted in prayer, and trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Whether you're a young adult or someone looking to support this age group, this conversation is full of insights and encouragement.
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Episode 168: How to Tell If Your Prayer Life Is Working with Nathan Crankfield, Sales Lead for Hallow
Episode | November 19th, 2024 | 1 hr 4 mins
archdiocese of omaha, building a relationship with god, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, daily prayer routine, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and prayer, faith journey, finding peace in prayer, hallow app, listening to god, making disciples, overcoming prayer challenges, prayer and mental health, prayer life, prayer practices, prayer tips, spiritual growth, transformative prayer
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.
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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.
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Coach's Corner 16: How to Make Evangelization a Priority
Episode | November 5th, 2024 | 9 mins 40 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, great commission, making disciples, missionary disciples, spiritual growth
Why is it so hard to prioritize evangelization? I want to love God, love my neighbor, and introduce others to Jesus, but life often gets in the way. In today’s Coach’s Corner, I’m here to offer some encouragement. When I focus on what Jesus truly asks of me—giving my heart to him in prayer and helping others draw closer to him—everything else falls into place. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply looking for inspiration, this episode provides practical advice and encouragement to reignite your missionary spirit and live out your faith more fully.
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Step 3: Faith Formation – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 15th, 2024 | 58 mins 22 secs
catechesis, catholic, catholic ministry, clear path, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, live lent together, making disciples, mentorship program, missionary disciples, small groups, spiritual growth
Most parishes form their people in the faith, but do they truly teach individuals how to pray, help them understand and actively engage with the sacraments, and guide them in making practical, moral changes in the daily lives? Developing the habits of a disciple can be challenging, and it happens most effectively within a community where people support and challenge one another to grow as followers of Jesus. In today’s conversation, Jodi Phillips and Michelle Zuhlke join me to discuss the faith formation step of building a clear path for discipleship. We explore the importance of small groups in fostering spiritual growth, emphasizing the role of personal relationships and mentorship.
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Step 2: Conversion Moment – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | October 8th, 2024 | 55 mins 5 secs
alpha course testimonials, alpha program, catholic, catholic faith, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, christian conversion, church community building, church outreach programs, conversion moments, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith and community, faith journey, hospitality in church, making disciples, omaha archdiocese, parish life, personal transformation stories, religious education, small groups, spiritual growth, st. columbkille parish
Does your parish have Alpha, Christ Life, a parish retreat, or some other initiative that creates an opportunity for people to hear about Jesus, reflect on their faith, and take a step towards a real and lasting relationship with him? The Clear Path step Conversion Moment is designed to help individuals encounter Jesus and make a personal decision to follow Him by offering a clear proclamation of the Gospel. My guest, Marlo Monico, shares her experience building and sustaining a Conversion Moment. She shares stories of significant personal transformations and emphasizes the importance of hospitality, community, and continuous invitation in evangelization efforts.
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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.