Advertise on podcast: Beyond Damascus

Most ministries never become movements. They run programs, hope people show up and burn out their leaders along the way. Dan DeMatte, co-founder and executive director of Damascus, has spent 25 years building one that didn't. Today it has three campuses, thousands of young people and hundreds of missionaries every year. In this Behind the Mission teaching, Dan walks through the five things every spiritual entrepreneur has to do to launch a movement: start with Jesus, create and cast a vision, build a team, provide excellent service and form missionaries instead of consumers. Along the way: why mediocre passion gets mediocre results, the worst church invitation ever given, the youth-group Sundays that built Damascus, and a parish-mission story about a father who invited his son one more time. If you lead anything for God, from a youth group to a parish ministry to a brand-new apostolate, send this to your team. Subscribe for more. The Damascus Podcast: raising up missionaries to take encounter to mission.

He was seventeen, sitting in a confessional at a Steubenville conference, listing his sins — and the priest stopped him. "Son, I'm going to stop you right there. You love your sin." Conall Hughes smiled. It was the first time anyone had cared enough to tell him the truth. Eight years into full-time mission at Damascus, Conall sits down with Brad Pierron to trace the whole road: the Eucharistic procession in 2011 that he can still date to the hour, the high school of 1,600 students with six kids in its youth group, the mentor who taught him how to pray because nobody ever had. They get into the three stages every conversion moves through, why giving from your surplus is not the same as giving from your sustenance, what happens to a man who learns a lot of theology and starts using it as a weapon, and the fear Brad names out loud near the end — how often we hide vice behind the veneer of virtue. It closes on the two words Conall says to himself every morning. If this one lands, send it to someone who is trying to take the faith seriously and does not know where to start. The Damascus Podcast — where encounter meets mission.

Most people picture ministry as a stage, a microphone, and a room full of teenagers crying. So what do you do if your Monday is a bank reconciliation, a vendor invoice, and four hours of email? Four members of the Damascus operations and finance team sat down to answer that — and the answer is not the polite one. AJ, Conor, Anthony and Adam left engineering jobs, corporate accounting and a comfortable career track to build the back end of a missionary movement. In this conversation they take apart the lie that frontline ministry counts and everything else is support: why a spreadsheet can be a step toward sainthood, why the person preaching from stage might be less present to God than the guy doing year-end close, what actually changed when they stopped treating profit as the point, and the four building blocks they'd hand to anyone stuck in a job that feels like it doesn't matter. There is also a genuinely unhinged eight-minute detour into tungsten cubes, a proposal to replace the capital campaign with one, and a full accounting of Friday Thunder. If you have ever apologized for the work you do, this one is for you. Send it to somebody whose job you think of as ordinary. The Damascus Podcast — where encounter meets mission. The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today. -- Damascus’ mission is to awaken, empower, and equip a generation to live the adventure of the Catholic faith. To learn more about our camps, retreats, events, missionary programs, giving opportunities, and more, visit damascus.net. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damascusmission/ https://www.instagram.com/damascusworship/ https://www.instagram.com/damascussummercamp/ https://www.instagram.com/beyonddamascus/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DamascusCatholicMissionCampus/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Damascus-Worship/61555915569086/?_rdr https://www.facebook.com/damascussummercamp/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565241435955 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@damascusmission https://www.tiktok.com/@damascusworship https://www.tiktok.com/@damascussummercamp https://www.tiktok.com/@thedamascuspodcast

Four Capuchin Franciscan friars came off a week of summer camp and sat down to answer thequestion most people are actually carrying around: what do you do when you have no idea whatGod wants from your life. One of them wanted to be a math teacher, then a therapist, then a social worker. God said yes to all three at once — and then waited two years to tell him.They get into wearing the habit of a brother who has died, why "get to" is a better phrase than "have to," how a Christian symbol left on an economist's desk turned into a lunchtime Bible study, and what it costs to be an imperfect billboard for a perfect God. There's the line a religious sister gave one of them the week before he entered — the reasons why you entered will not be the reasons why you stay — and the image a stranger sent Brad after a conference: a little girl holding a teddy bear, Jesus with his hand out, and a bigger teddy bear behind his back. Along the way: Padre Pio's joy in the middle of suffering, Francis failing at two careers before he found the third, and the reason God will never hand you enough information to stop needing him. If you're in a season of not knowing what comes next, start at 56:06. Then send this to the person who keeps asking what you're going to do with your life. The Damascus Podcast — where encounter meets mission.

Behind the Mission provides a behind the scenes look at the ministry concepts and methodology of Damascus. In this episode, Dan shares how we get young people, who are known to be disaffiliating in large numbers, to reengage with the faith. The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church. The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today.  Host: Dan DeMatte

The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church. The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today. Host: Brad Pierron Guests: Sr. Elfie Del Rosario, FMA -- Damascus’ mission is to awaken, empower, and equip a generation to live the adventure of the Catholic faith. To learn more about our camps, retreats, events, missionary programs, giving opportunities, and more, visit damascus.net. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damascusmission/ https://www.instagram.com/damascusworship/ https://www.instagram.com/damascussummercamp/ https://www.instagram.com/beyonddamascus/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DamascusCatholicMissionCampus/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Damascus-Worship/61555915569086/?_rdr https://www.facebook.com/damascussummercamp/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565241435955 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@damascusmission https://www.tiktok.com/@damascusworship https://www.tiktok.com/@damascussummercamp https://www.tiktok.com/@thedamascuspodcast

Missionary Roundtable hosts topical conversations with missionaries at Damascus. In this episode, Aaron hosts a roundtable discussion on what it means for Christians to be all in. The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church. The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today. Host: Aaron Richards Guests: Monica, Rafe, Lauren, Liam -- Damascus’ mission is to awaken, empower, and equip a generation to live the adventure of the Catholic faith. To learn more about our camps, retreats, events, missionary programs, giving opportunities, and more, visit damascus.net. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damascusmission/ https://www.instagram.com/damascusworship/ https://www.instagram.com/damascussummercamp/ https://www.instagram.com/beyonddamascus/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DamascusCatholicMissionCampus/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Damascus-Worship/61555915569086/?_rdr https://www.facebook.com/damascussummercamp/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565241435955 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@damascusmission https://www.tiktok.com/@damascusworship https://www.tiktok.com/@damascussummercamp https://www.tiktok.com/@thedamascuspodcast

The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church.The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today. Host: Brad PierronGuest: Seph Schlueter

Behind the Mission provides a behind the scenes look at the ministry concepts and methodology of Damascus. In this episode, Dan shares how we get young people, who are known to be disaffiliating in large numbers, to reengage with the faith. The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church. The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today.  Host: Dan DeMatte

The Sisters of the Immaculata is an association of Christ’s faithful with a mission for spiritual renewal through Eucharistic Adoration and faith formation, particularly in parishes and with young people. In this episode, the Sisters share about the beauty of a life in Christ and a life on mission.Host: Brad PierronGuest: Sister Mary Josephine, Sister Erin, and Sister Jeninah

Missionary Roundtable hosts topical conversations with missionaries at Damascus. In this episode, Aaron hosts a roundtable discussion on what it means for Christians to be all in.The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church.The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today. Host: Aaron RichardsGuests: Ricky, Alanis, Ben, Mikaela

The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church. The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today. Damascus’ mission is to awaken, empower, and equip a generation to live the adventure of the Catholic faith.To learn more about our camps, retreats, events, missionary programs, giving opportunities, and more, visit damascus.net. Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/damascusmission/https://www.instagram.com/damascusworship/https://www.instagram.com/damascussummercamp/https://www.instagram.com/beyonddamascus/Follow us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/DamascusCatholicMissionCampus/https://www.facebook.com/people/Damascus-Worship/61555915569086/?_rdrhttps://www.facebook.com/damascussummercamp/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565241435955Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@damascusmissionhttps://www.tiktok.com/@damascusworshiphttps://www.tiktok.com/@damascussummercamphttps://www.tiktok.com/@thedamascuspodcast

Behind the Mission provides a behind the scenes look at the ministry concepts and methodology of Damascus. In this episode, Dan shares how we get young people, who are known to be disaffiliating in large numbers, to reengage with the faith. The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church. The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today.  Host: Dan DeMatte

The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as a prophetic witness that life is a pilgrimage to the Father, of faith, hope, and love of God and neighbor, made possible by the Holy Spirit. They participate in Christ’s renewal of all things through prayer, fraternal life, service of the poor, and evangelization as a complement to the work of those whose mission is to serve parochially. In this episode, Fr. Malachy Napier, CFR and Br. Matthew, CFR reflect on the gift of bringing our own poverty to the Lord.  The Damascus Podcast is the official podcast of Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement that invites as many young people and their families as possible into a life-changing encounter with Jesus and His Church. With a combination of long-form conversations, roundtable discussions, and lessons from 25 years of ministry, this podcast exists to bring the Damascus experience to everyday life – where an encounter with what Jesus is doing in this generation of the Church leads to the mission of bringing that encounter to the next generation of the Church. The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today.  Host: Brad Pierron Guest: Fr. Malachy Napier, CFR and Br. Matthew, CFR

Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, is the president of Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has faithfully served as a Franciscan priest for 30 years, during which he has spoken and ministered all across the world. He has written eight books, including his newest, Joyful Sons and Daughters, Embracing The Father’s Love; hosts Franciscan University Presents on EWTN; and cohosts the popular podcast, They That Hope. In this episode, Fr. Dave discusses the journeys that led him to becoming the President of Franciscan University, and he reflects on this Jubilee Year of St. Francis.The Damascus Podcast – where encounter meets mission. Subscribe today. Host: Brad PierronGuest: Fr. Dave Pivonka