World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul: How to Prepare Your Group | Verso Ministries, Ep 075

The Church Podcast

• 50 min

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"There aren't many people walking barefoot to Rome, but there are people in middle seats." Joan Watson and John Paul Lichon of Verso Ministries on preparing pilgrims for World Youth Day in Seoul. John Paul Lichon, founder and CEO of Verso Ministries, and Joan Watson, its pilgrim formation manager, talk about what makes a pilgrimage different from a trip, how to prepare pilgrims for the sacrifices along the way, the "so what?" question every pilgrim should answer, the story of the Korean Church, how to bring the whole parish along, and why you don't have to fly overseas to make a pilgrimage. Full show notes and resources: https://blog.marathonyouthministry.com/churchpodcast/episode-075-world-youth-day-2027-in-seoul-how-to-prepare-your-group-with-verso-ministries Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC307YUsy2980SICsZElRPGA CHAPTERS 0:00 Cold open: "Parts are gonna hurt" 1:01 Welcome and introduction 2:32 Meet John Paul, Joan and Verso Ministries 7:09 Why a pilgrimage is not a vacation 11:41 Sacrifice, setbacks and lost luggage 17:00 Coming home: the "so what?" question 22:51 Starting Verso with $25 and a state website 28:29 World Youth Day in Seoul and the Korean Church 35:52 Bringing the whole parish along 41:49 What gives them hope: "Take courage" RESOURCES MENTIONED Verso Ministries: https://versoministries.com/ Lead a group with Verso: https://versoministries.com/lead-a-group/ In Via podcast: https://versoministries.com/in-via/ Verso's startup story: https://versoministries.com/versos-startup-story/ World Youth Day Seoul 2027: https://wydseoul.org/ Joan Watson, Making a Pilgrimage: A Companion for Catholics: https://www.joanwatson.faith/ CONNECT WITH JOAN AND JOHN PAUL Verso: https://versoministries.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/catholictravels/ Joan: https://www.joanwatson.faith/ and https://www.instagram.com/joan.m.watson/ SUPPORT OUR WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMS Marathon Youth Ministry is helping the Sisters of Bon Secours and the Diocese of San Diego take about 70 pilgrims to Seoul with Verso. Please pray for us, and support a pilgrim at https://wydbonsecours.org/donate World Youth Day collection at the MYM store (proceeds support pilgrims): https://marathonyouthministry.store?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=church-podcast&utm_content=ep075 MORE FROM MARATHON YOUTH MINISTRY M2GO: training videos, templates and resources for your ministry team: https://marathonyouthministry.com/ministry2go?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=church-podcast&utm_content=ep075 Ministry Coach: https://ministryally.app?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=church-podcast&utm_content=ep075 MYM store: https://marathonyouthministry.store?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=church-podcast&utm_content=ep075 The Church Podcast is a member of the NFCYM Podcast Network: https://nfcym.org/podcastnetwork/ More from the show: http://thechurchpodcast.org/ Recorded on Riverside (affiliate link): https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=christopher-wesley Produced by Marathon Youth Ministry and Stephen Herrera of Be Well Creative: https://bewellcreative.co/