The BeatiDudes Elevating Parishes from Surviving to Thriving | Martin Watjen | Episode #271
Before the sun’s up and the coffee’s even finished brewing, Paul Kolker, Nick Bezner, and Jeff Schiefelbein break the “donut seal” for the first-ever BeatiDudes breakfast episode — and welcome a man whose ministry is anything but half-baked. Guest Martin Watjen, founder of Elevated Parish Missions, joins the table from Steubenville, Ohio, bringing humor, humility, and holy conviction about what it means to help people move faith from head knowledge to heart encounter.
The conversation hops from sticky-sprinkle banter and beard jokes to powerful testimony. Martin shares his wild road trip with eight kids, his time working security for the federal government, and his leap of faith when he left a comfortable role at Franciscan University to follow God’s call. Together, the crew explores the real purpose of parish missions: to reawaken a relationship with Jesus in the very pews and neighborhoods where we already live.
This episode serves up plenty of caffeine-fueled laughs (including a “Jonah and the donut” moment and a few improv curveballs) but ultimately lands on the deep truth that knowing about Christ isn’t the same as really knowing Christ. Martin’s story and joy remind us that evangelization begins with encounter and maybe a good cup of coffee.
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