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.

Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation

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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

In this episode, Melissa and Tom sit down with Curtis Martin, founder of FOCUS, to explore what it truly takes to form missionary disciples in our time. Curtis shares his own journey back to Christ and back to the Catholic Church, the heartbeat behind FOCUS, and why evangelization begins not with programs but with people rooted in prayer.

He unpacks the simple, relational, and deeply biblical methodology FOCUS missionaries use to make disciples—one that works not only on college campuses but also in parishes. Through powerful stories, practical wisdom, and his signature analogies, Curtis casts a compelling vision for any parish longing to reach the lost and welcome them home.

Whether you're serving on a parish staff, volunteering in ministry, or simply longing for renewal in the Church, this conversation will encourage you to “get on the field” and step boldly into Christ’s mission.

00:01 — Welcome & Introduction

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Curtis Martin, FOCUS Catholic, FOCUS missionaries, SEEK conference, Catholic evangelization, parish renewal, missionary discipleship, relational evangelization, friendship evangelization, making missionary disciples, Catholic young adult ministry, campus ministry, reaching college students for Christ, Catholic vocations, parish hospitality, welcoming parish culture, parish discipleship pathway, Catholic parish growth, Rebuilt Parish podcast, Church of the Nativity, strategic evangelization, repeatable evangelization model, Catholic leadership, Great Commission Catholic Church, evangelizing the next generation, small groups, Catholic marriage and family renewal.

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa sits down with longtime Church of the Nativity parishioner and volunteer minister, Eva Fiastro, who has been connected to Nativity for over 40 years (and whose husband goes all the way back to the “Mass-in-the-middle-school” days).

Eva shares a vivid before-and-after picture of Christmas Eve at Nativity—from a stressful holy day of obligation with hidden nativity scenes, seat-saving battles, overflow rooms, and parking chaos… to a joyful, outward-facing celebration at the Maryland State Fairgrounds that welcomes thousands and puts newcomers first.

Along the way, she walks through how a deeper embrace of mission, message series, hospitality ministries, layered leadership, and a bold move off-campus transformed one of the biggest days of the year. Eva also offers practical, low-cost ideas any parish can start using right away—from clean bathrooms and warm smiles to parking shuttles and clear preaching that invites people back.

If you’re a pastor or parish leader wondering how to move Christmas Eve from obligation to celebration, Eva’s story will give you both hope and concrete next steps.

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Tom and Melissa sit down with Jeff Cavins—Catholic speaker, author, and creator of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible. Jeff shares his powerful journey from leaving the Church to coming back to the Catholic Church with a renewed fire for Scripture.

He talks about how people truly meet Jesus in the Church, why priests must preach so the Word lands in everyday life, and how Scripture moves people from passive pew-sitters to active disciples. Along the way, Jeff shares lessons from Mother Angelica, stories from his years as a pastor, and insights for every parish leader who wants to make Scripture come alive.

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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In this episode, Melissa talks with Casey Phillips and Micah Johnson from the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington, Kentucky — the first cathedral to partner with Rebuilt. They share their honest, often funny journey from “closet Rebuilt meetings” to a thriving culture of hospitality, alignment, and mission. Hear how they moved from simply maintaining programs to forming disciples, the practical steps that followed their Weekend Observation, and the ripple effects they’re already seeing in new volunteers, stronger leadership, and even newcomers discovering faith.

👉 Grab our free Weekend Experience Evaluation to assess your parish weekends and unlock simple changes that make every Mass more welcoming and impactful. https://download.rebuiltparish.com/weekendevaluation 

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Catholic parish renewal, Rebuilt Parish, Cathedral of Christ the King Lexington, weekend observation, parish coaching, hospitality ministry, welcome desk, unified message, mission statement, evangelization, discipleship, parish leadership team, Lexington diocese, parish growth, volunteer recruitment, parish alignment, Catholic podcast

Jason Simon shares his journey from an evangelical Protestant upbringing to entering the Catholic Church—and ultimately leading Evangelical Catholic. He unpacks what “missionary discipleship” really means (hint: it’s not a buzzword), why true formation begins in communion (small, deep relationships), and how parishes of any size can build a replicable, dialogical process that sends everyday Catholics into mission at work, at the gym, and across their neighborhoods. Jason also offers a powerful “glory story” from Iowa that shows communion naturally spilling over into life-saving mission.

Evangelical Catholic: evangelicalcatholic.org

Contact Jason: [email protected]

➡️ Take the first step toward renewal—get our free Weekend Experience Evaluation to identify what’s working, what’s not, and where your parish can grow. https://download.rebuiltparish.com/weekendevaluation 

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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missionary discipleship, catholic small groups, parish renewal, Evangelical Catholic, Jason Simon, Evangelii Gaudium, catholic evangelization, forming disciples, lay apostolate, Rebuilt Parish podcast, parish coaching, catholic leadership, catholic preaching, pastoral strategy

Creative Director Kathy O’Leary (New Roads Catholic Community, MA) joins Melissa to share a decade of parish renewal experience: saying yes to coaching, building a weekend experience for newcomers, preaching in message series, and shifting staff from “doing ministry” to equipping ministers. Kathy unpacks Boston’s Disciples in Mission collaborative model, why New Roads chose its name from Pope Francis’ call to “create new roads,” and how clear goals + prayer (hello, 100 serve cards) catalyzed momentum. If you’ve felt alone, stuck, or second-guessed by the “old guard,” this conversation offers perspective, practicals, and a lot of hope.

➡️ Take the first step toward renewal—get our free Weekend Experience Evaluation to identify what’s working, what’s not, and where your parish can grow. https://download.rebuiltparish.com/weekendevaluation 

Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts! 

“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Catholic parish renewal, Rebuilt Parish, New Roads Catholic Community, Disciples in Mission, Boston collaboratives, evangelization, discipleship, weekend experience, message series, one church one message, parish coaching, parish leadership team, volunteer recruitment, serve cards, accountability, culture change, Pope Francis “new roads,” equipping ministers, parish growth, Catholic podcast

In this very special (and longest-ever!) episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran sit down with legendary pastor and author Rick Warren — founder of Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church.

Rick reflects on how he mentored Fr. Michael White and Tom during the earliest days of the Rebuilt movement and shares wisdom from a lifetime of global ministry. Together, they discuss the five phases of renewal every church must go through, the future of evangelization leading to the 2000th anniversary of the Church in 2033, and how Catholics and Christians of every denomination can unite to “finish the task” of the Great Commission.

This conversation is packed with encouragement, laughter, and timeless principles for parish renewal and disciple-making in every context.

Finishing the Task — Rick Warren’s global initiative for the Great Commission

Get your FREE Weekend Experience Evaluation here: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/weekendevaluation 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction: The Rebuilt–Saddleback connection

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Rick Warren, Rebuilt Parish, Church Renewal, Great Commission, Finishing the Task, Parish Growth, Purpose Driven Church, Evangelization, Parish Leadership, Discipleship, Unity, 2033 Church Anniversary

When Rebuilt first introduced the idea of preaching in message series to him, Fr. Mark Peacock wanted nothing to do with it. “How could I possibly talk about one topic for five weeks?” he remembers thinking. In this candid conversation, he shares how partnership, planning, and prayer helped him move from resistance to enthusiasm — and how preaching in series has transformed Holy Spirit Parish.

Fr. Mark explains the teamwork that goes into every series with his associate Fr. Nick, the role of their communications staff, and the parish-wide systems that keep everyone — from the pulpit to the school — focused on the same mission. You’ll also hear practical ideas like Homily in a Minute videos, themed prayer cards, and small-group alignment that keep parishioners engaged long after Sunday.

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Catholic preaching, Catholic homilies, message series Catholic church, parish renewal, Rebuilt Parish Podcast, homily planning, small group launch, Rebuilt Faith book, parish communications, Holy Spirit Grand Rapids, preaching team, Catholic leadership, parish mission statement, sermon series Catholic, Homily in a Minute, parish media strategy, clergy collaboration, Rebuilt Content Library.

What actually works in Catholic youth ministry right now? Dan DeMatte shares how Damascus is forming 30,000+ young people each year through high-adventure Catholic camps and year-round missions—combining ropes courses, paintball, and beach time with Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, prayer labs, and small groups. We unpack the “culture of encounter” (with God and with one another), why play is a pathway to discipleship, and how parishes without a youth minister (or with frequent turnover) can still anchor teens in transformational experiences. Dan also previews the new Emmitsburg, Maryland camp and adult retreats that mirror the same encounter-driven model.

Learn more about Damascus camps and all that Damascus has to offer: https://www.damascus.net/ 

Get FREE Sample Access of Rebuilt’s Content Library to try it out for yourself! https://www.rebuiltparish.com/content 

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Catholic youth ministry, Damascus Catholic camps, high adventure Catholic camp, Emmitsburg Maryland Catholic camp, Catholic teen retreat, Eucharistic Adoration youth, Catholic summer camp ropes course, culture of encounter, theology of play, Catholic small groups for teens, parish youth ministry ideas, Catholic parish renewal, youth minister turnover, men’s Catholic retreat, women’s Catholic retreat, Rebuilt Parish podcast, Church of the Nativity.