The Catholic Morning Show

Jim Verwoert: The Conversion Story That Sparked a $5,000 Gift (+ more) | Harvest Is Abundant | Fall Fundraiser | Thursday 3PM - 10/01/2026

Episode Summary

On Triple Match Thursday of the Iowa Catholic Radio Fall Fundraiser, Jim Verwoert of St. John's Parish in Adel shares his journey from a Dutch Reformed upbringing to a Holy Spirit-filled Catholic faith, and his testimony inspires a listener's $5,000 gift that the match turns into $20,000. Grandpa George of Spencer tells how Catholic radio kept him company on nightly drives to share supper with his wife in a nursing home, along with marriage wisdom from 37 years together. Plus listener testimonies, Bud Maher's story of finding Iowa Catholic Radio, and simple ways to support Catholic radio during The Harvest Is Abundant campaign.

Episode Notes

The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Be one of them: text GIVE to 515-223-1150 or give online at https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options

It was Triple Match Thursday on the Iowa Catholic Radio Fall Fundraiser, and this hour delivered one of the week's most moving moments. Bud Maher, Janelle, and Brian welcome Jim Verwoert, a longtime listener and State Fair booth volunteer whose joy left a lasting impression, and hear the testimony that moved a listener to give.

In this episode:

• Jim's conversion story: raised Dutch Reformed with roots in Pella and Sully, a "conversion of convenience" after marrying a Catholic, and the night at Mass in 2012 when he asked God to let him know Him better.
• A Novena to the Holy Spirit with his pastor at St. John's in Adel, and the vision that stayed with him.
• Jim's simple habit on the road: asking restaurant servers, "Is there anything I can pray for you today?"
• Why Jim calls Iowa Catholic Radio a "crown jewel" for Catholics in Iowa, mixing national programming with local voices like Katie Patrizio and Joe Stopulos.
• Memories from Christ Our Life and from fielding questions from Bible college students at the ICR booth at the Iowa State Fair.
• A Triple Match surprise: Marilyn, inspired by Jim's testimony, turned a $5,000 gift into $20,000 for Catholic radio.
• Grandpa George of Sacred Heart Parish in Spencer, whom we met on the Growing the Faith tour with Catholic Answers Live apologist Karlo Broussard, shares how ICR was his companion on nightly drives to see his wife, plus marriage advice from 37 years together.
• Bud reflects on discovering Iowa Catholic Radio after moving to Des Moines in 2014 and how a radio show became a simple way to plant seeds of faith.
• Listener testimonies from Christy Schultz, Eileen Denner, William Halligan, Mary Hazleton, and more.

How to give:

• Text GIVE to 515-223-1150
• Give online: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options
• This week's ask: be one of 12 listeners each hour to give $25 a month for the next 12 months. Gifts of every size help the mission.

Listen anywhere: the refreshed Iowa Catholic Radio app now features a new design, CarPlay support, and adjustable playback speed. iOS users will update automatically, and Android users can find the update on the Google Play Store. Learn more at https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/

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