Can real friendship heal division in the Church?

When I sit with John 17, I’m struck that He was praying for a unity that’s visible, relational, and compelling—a unity that makes the world stop and notice that He was sent by the Father. That kind of unity shows up in real friendships, in shared service, in conversations where we seek truth together—not to win an argument, but to love each other well and grow together, even when we don’t see eye to eye. It’s messy, but it’s also where the Lord does His best work.

In this episode of EquipCast, I sit down with Max Chapman and Jeremiah Zimmerman from the More Mercy apostolate to talk about what this looks like in real life. Max shares how praying with John 17 sparked a deep desire in him to build bridges with Christians from other traditions. What started as simple conversations turned into friendships that not only challenged him but also strengthened his Catholic faith. You’ll hear why unity isn’t just an ideal for theologians—it’s something we’re all called to live, one relationship at a time.

[01:36 ] Meet Max Chapman and Jeremiah Zimmerman

[02:46 ] Max's Journey: From Football to Faith

[06:20 ] Jeremiah's Path: From Baseball to Theology

[12:50 ] The Vision for Ecumenical Unity

[22:01 ] Challenges and Joys of Ecumenical Ministry

[31:39 ] Unity in Diversity: Different Catholic Ethnicities

[34:37 ] Practical Steps for Ecumenism

[37:19 ] Building Friendships Across Denominations

[41:02 ] Challenges and Joys of Ecumenical Work

[46:33 ] Mobilizing Lay Faithful for Ecumenism

[53:28 ] Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Don’t forget to check out More Mercy!

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha

Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)