What happens when the interviewer becomes the guest? In this episode, Tom flips the script and sits down with Melissa to hear her story—from a “cradle Catholic” upbringing (and a surprising family connection to parish life), to an eighth-grade encounter with the Holy Spirit, to seasons of doubt, leadership lessons from Target, and the moment God pulled her back into the Church in a deeper way.
Melissa shares the full-circle threads that shaped her vocation: The Purpose Driven Life, Walking with Purpose, discovering Rebuilt, and how a simple “don’t leave your church—change your church” nudge became a turning point. You’ll also hear how COVID-era webinars connected her to Rebuilt more directly, what it was like rebuilding a parish team from the inside, and the discernment that led her from local parish leadership to serving the wider Church through Rebuilt.
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Chapters with Timestamps
00:01 Turning the tables: Tom interviews Melissa00:06 Cold remedies: bone broth vs. raw garlic (and the “man cold”)02:20 Behind the curtain: how Melissa usually prepares for interviews02:46 Why this episode: hearing Melissa’s faith story03:11 Growing up Catholic + Puerto Rican roots and a parish-planting surprise04:07 An eighth-grade invitation to an evangelical youth group05:06 Encountering the Holy Spirit + what felt different than CCD07:04 “Devastated”: being told she couldn’t go back—and what she learned there07:50 A stronger Catholic youth group experience in high school08:16 Penn State years: faith drift, Mass inconsistency, and accessibility challenges11:27 Doubts in college: The Da Vinci Code + youth minister scandal12:59 Target leadership: running a $30M store at 2514:04 Biggest leadership lessons: delegation, layers, accountability, follow-up16:04 Anxiety, remodel season, and stepping away to start a family17:49 A leap of faith: money, identity shifts, and learning to rely on God20:10 Faith reignited: a faith-based company and praise & worship21:10 2017 turning point: The Purpose Driven Life and “change your church”22:40 Why she almost left St. Mary’s: welcome, kids ministry, and culture gaps25:25 A mom’s prayers + The Word Among Us + learning Scripture27:50 Pastoral Council, website rebuild, and the COVID connection to Rebuilt29:42 Laying down a personal project: the faith journal “cease and desist” moment33:49 Going full-time at the parish + NextGen rebuild34:29 Rebuilding the parish team: culture, structure, and hard decisions40:12 Lessons learned the hard way (including passwords and online giving!)41:08 Discernment to join Rebuilt: “global impact” and a Holy Spirit-led opening45:47 Favorite podcast guests: Rick Warren, Lisa, Jeff Cavins, partner parishes47:29 Dream guests + Catholic voices she’d love to interview next49:19 Wrap-up and thanks
Key Takeaways
Faith formation isn’t just information - it’s encounter and community. Melissa’s story highlights how fellowship, real conversation, and prayer can awaken faith in a lasting way.Leadership skills translate—when they’re rooted in mission. Delegation, clear roles, and accountability matter in parish life, especially when rebuilding culture and team health.God weaves “full circle” moments over time. Books, studies, and relationships that once shaped Melissa’s faith became part of her vocational path years later.Renewal often requires courageous change. Sometimes that means restructuring roles, setting standards, and making hard decisions for the health of the mission.Discernment happens in community. Melissa shares how prayer, pastoral conversations, and timely invitations clarified her next “yes.”Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!
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Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson, Tom Corcoran, faith story, cradle Catholic, Catholic testimony, Holy Spirit encounter, youth ministry, Penn State Catholic, Our Lady of Victory, The Da Vinci Code faith doubts, delegation, accountability, parish staff leadership, parish renewal, Rebuilt book, Walking with Purpose, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, Jeff Cavins, Catholic discipleship, parish culture, church communications, parish website, COVID church ministry, NextGen ministry, rebuilding parish teams, discernment, vocation, Catholic leadership development, Hallow app, Jonathan Roumie, Craig Groeschel, Carey Nieuwhof